noon
She had now heard of his engagement with Camilla French , and saw in that complete proof that the foolish man had been induced to offer his hand to her by the promise of her aunt 's money . If there had been a moment of exaltation , -- a period in which she had allowed herself to think that she was , as other women , capable of making herself dear to a man , -- it had been but a moment . And now she rejoiced greatly that she had not acceded to the wishes of one to whom it was so manifest that she had not made herself in the least dear . On the second day of his visit , Brooke was summoned to Miss Stanbury 's room at noon . She was forbidden to talk , and during a great portion of the day could hardly speak without an effort ; but there would be half hours now and again in which she would become stronger than usual , at which time nothing that Martha and Dorothy could say would induce her to hold her tongue . When Brooke came to her on this occasion he found her sitting up in bed with a great shawl round her ; and he at once perceived she was much more like her own self than on the former day . She told him that she had been an old fool for sending for him , that she had nothing special to say to him , that she had made no alteration in her will in regard to him , -- `` except that I have done something for Dolly that will have to come out of your pocket , Brooke . ''