noon
The voyage had been prosperous , they had fallen in with a French vessel , and Mr. Edmund Woodley had been safely received on board . She was very anxious to return home ; and as it was Saturday , and therefore a holiday at the school , Dr. Bathurst undertook to go with her and spend the Sunday at Forest Lea . One of the farmers of Bosham helped them some little way with his harvest cart , but the rest of the journey had to be performed on foot . It was not till noon that they came out upon the high road between Chichester and Forest Lea ; and they had not been upon it more than ten minutes , before the sound of horses ' tread was heard , as if coming from Chichester . Looking round , they saw a gentleman riding fast , followed by a soldier also on horseback . There was something in his air that Rose recognised , and as he came nearer she perceived it was Sylvester Enderby . He was much amazed , when , at the same moment , he perceived it was Mistress Rose Woodley , and stopping his horse , and taking off his hat , with great respect both towards her and the clergyman , he hoped all the family were well in health .