noon
She was the less in danger from liberty , because of the disgust which certain tones and words of her father had repeatedly occasioned her . She learned self-defence early -- and alone , without even a dog to keep her company , and help her to the laws of the world outside herself . With none of the conventionalities of society , Lady Joan saw no reason for making a difficulty when , the day after that on which her father died , Cosmo proposed a walk in the snow . He saw her properly provided for what seemed to her an adventure -- with short skirts , and stockings over her shoes -- and they set out together , in the brilliant light of a sun rapidly declining toward the western horizon , though it had but just passed the low noon . The moment she stepped from the threshold , Joan was invaded by an almost giddy sense of freedom . The keen air and the impeding snow sent the warm blood to her cheeks , and her heart beat as if new-born into a better world . She was annoyed with herself , but in vain she called herself heartless ; in vain she accused herself of indifference to the loss of her father , said to herself she was a worthless girl : there was the sun in the sky -- not warm , but dazzling-bright and shining straight into her very being !