midday
Oh no ! '' `` It 's nothing , '' said Miriam , carelessly . `` Come , Cecily . '' The visitors took their leave just as the midday cannon boomed from Sant ' Elmo . They had promised to come and dine in a day or two . After their departure , Miriam showed as little disposition to make comments as she had to indulge in expectation before their arrival . Eleanor and her husband put less restraint upon themselves .