noon
MERWYN now felt that he had carried out the first part of his plan . He had looked into the murderous eyes of the mob , and learned its spirit and purpose . Already he reproached himself for leaving Marian alone so long , especially as columns of smoke were rising throughout the northern part of the city . It seemed an age since he had seen that first cloud of the storm , as he emerged from the park after his quiet ride , but it was not yet noon . As he sped through the streets , running where he dared , and fortunately having enough of the general aspect of a rioter to be unmolested , he noticed a new feature in the outbreak , one that soon became a chief characteristic , -- the hatred of negroes and the sanguinary pursuit of them everywhere . `` Another danger for the Vosburghs , '' he groaned . `` They have a colored servant , who must be spirited off somewhere instantly . ''