noon
He was heart-whole , and his whole heart -- his sound , large loving heart -- was unreservedly given to Bee . And therefore , notwithstanding his compassion for the misfortunes of Claudia , he rode gayly on to his anticipated meeting with his betrothed . It was a fine , frosty , bracing , winter morning ; the roads were good ; and the horse was fresh ; and he enjoyed his ride exceedingly , rejoicing in his youth , health , and happy , well-placed love . He galloped all the way to Horsehead , where he arrived at noon , took an early dinner , procured a fresh horse and continued his journey . He rode all the short , bright winter afternoon , and at dusk reached his second stopping-place , where he took an early tea , changed his horse , and started afresh . Four more hours of riding through the leafless forest , and under the starlit sky , brought him in sight of the water ; and a few minutes brought him to the door of the Beacon . Here he sprung from his saddle ; secured his horse to a post ; and rushed up the front steps to the hall door and rang .