summer noon
But Barrie could no longer be held within bounds , for the great moment of her life had come . She darted away from us , her figure as tall , more youthful , more willowy , and more charming than the other , though singularly like in movement and in outline . The resemblance between the beautiful woman and the beautiful girl produced the effect of contrast , and ruthlessly dug a chasm of years between them . Suddenly , as they stood face to face , Mrs. Bal -- who had been young as morning -- reached the rich maturity of summer noon . The thing Somerled would have prevented had happened ; but the reins were out of his hands , and it would do more harm than good to snatch at them . None of us moved , but we were nearer than any one else to the mother and daughter , near enough to hear every word they said to each other . `` Oh , mother , it 's I -- your daughter Barrie , come to find you , '' the girl faltered .