noon
Nora assured her mother that she was only tired . After any unusual exertion , her face always grew paler and her expression more suffering . She reached the house with difficulty , and , when Frederic had carried her up to her bed-room , she lay on the sofa a long time without moving , thoroughly exhausted . The doctor came towards noon , and declared that a complete change of air would be the best thing for the little Nora , who certainly seemed to be losing strength daily . He would write to a physician , a friend of his in Switzerland , to find a suitable place for her , and would come again as soon as he received an answer . Towards evening , Nora sat once more in the window , gazing wearily at the long slanting rays of the setting sun that fell across the greensward in golden radiance , and lighted up the rose-leaves till they shone like lamps among the flowers . Clarissa sat at her work-table by Nora 's side and from time to time , she raised her head and looked sadly at the frail form that lay so motionless in the window-seat .