midday
Her colour came and went -- her very eyes seemed to change . Cornish thought of this open field which Marguerite 's father had offered , and perhaps he thought of the hundred and fifty thousand pounds that lay beneath so bright a surface . On returning to `` The Brambles , '' they found Mr. Wade reading the _ Times _ in the glass-covered veranda of that eligible suburban mansion . It being a Saturday , the great banker was taking a holiday , and Cornish had arranged not to return to town until midday . `` Come here , '' shouted Mr. Wade , `` and have a cigar while you read the paper . '' `` And remember , '' added Marguerite , slim and girlish in her riding-habit ; `` choke him off ! '' She stood on the door-step , looking over her shoulder , and nodded at Cornish , her fresh lips tilted at the corner by a smile full of gaiety and mysticism .