noon
His defiance , he knew , must cost him his liberty -- his life . Yet he was determined . For Sonia 's sake he had become a changed man . At noon Shuttleworth , calm and pleasant , came across the lawn with outstretched hand . He uttered low words of encouragement and comfort . He said that poor Mrs. Dixon had passed away , and later on he left to attend to his work in the parish . After luncheon , served by the silent Felix , Poland retired to his study with the newspaper , and sat for two hours , staring straight before him , until , just after four o'clock , the door was suddenly flung open , and a slim , athletic young girl , with a wealth of soft fair hair , a perfect countenance , a sweet , lovable expression , and a pair of merry blue eyes , burst into the room , crying -- `` Hallo , dad !