noon
Madelinette was frightened . She knew well why Havel had ridden on ahead without her permission , and shaking hands with the landlord and getting into the coach , she said hastily to her new coachman : `` Lose not an instant . Drive hard . '' They reached the next change by noon , and here they found four horses awaiting them . Tardif , and Havel also , had come and gone . An hour 's rest , and they were away again upon the last stage of the journey . They should reach Quebec soon after dusk , all being well .