noon
To see her home again , and to see it with him ; to show him -LRB- secure of his interest -RRB- the haunts of former times , each with its little tale of the past -- of dead and gone events ! -- No coming shadow threw its gloom over this week 's dream of happiness -- a dream which was too bright to be spoken about to common and indifferent ears . Treading in Perilous Places Sunday came , as brilliant as if there were no sorrow , or death , or guilt in the world ; a day or two of rain had made the earth fresh and brave as the blue heavens above . Ruth thought it was too strong a realisation of her hopes , and looked for an over-clouding at noon ; but the glory endured , and at two o'clock she was in the Leasowes , with a beating heart full of joy , longing to stop the hours , which would pass too quickly through the afternoon . They sauntered through the fragrant lanes , as if their loitering would prolong the time , and check the fiery-footed steeds galloping apace towards the close of the happy day . It was past five o'clock before they came to the great mill-wheel , which stood in Sabbath idleness , motionless in a brown mass of shade , and still wet with yesterday 's immersion in the deep transparent water beneath . They clambered the little hill , not yet fully shaded by the overarching elms ; and then Ruth checked Mr Bellingham , by a slight motion of the hand which lay within his arm , and glanced up into his face to see what that face should express as it looked on Milham Grange , now lying still and peaceful in its afternoon shadows .