noon before
`` She would not bear it -- she could not bear it , '' this was Lady Marion 's conclusion in the morning , when the sunbeams peeping in her room told her it was time to rise . She turned her face to the wall and said it would be easier to die -- her life was spoiled , nothing could give her back her faith and trust in her husband or her love for him . Life held nothing for her now . It was noon before she rose , and then she went to her boudoir . Lord Chandos had gone out , leaving no message for her . She sat there thinking , brooding over her sorrow , wondering what she was to do , when the Countess of Lanswell was announced . Lady Marion looked up .