noon
He is a great observer ; and he looks Quite through the deeds of men . Often he smiles ; but smiles in such a sort , As if he mocked himself or scorned his spirit , That could be moved to smile at anything . Julius Caesar . The next day , late at noon , as Lucy was sitting with her father , not as usual engaged either in work or in reading , but seemingly quite idle , with her pretty foot upon the squire 's gouty stool , and eyes fixed on the carpet , while her hands -LRB- never were hands so soft and so small as Lucy 's , though they may have been eclipsed in whiteness -RRB- were lightly clasped together and reposed listlessly on her knees , -- the surgeon of the village abruptly entered with a face full of news and horror . Old Squire Brandon was one of those persons who always hear news , whatever it may be , later than any of their neighbours ; and it was not till all the gossips of the neighbourhood had picked the bone of the matter quite bare , that he was now informed , through the medium of Mr. Pillum , that Lord Mauleverer had on the preceding night been stopped by three highwaymen in his road to his country-seat , and robbed to a considerable amount . The fame of the worthy Dr. Slopperton 's maladventure having long ere this been spread far and wide , the whole neighbourhood was naturally thrown into great consternation . Magistrates were sent to , large dogs borrowed , blunderbusses cleaned , and a subscription made throughout the parish for the raising of a patrol .