morning, noon
He hastily went forward and met his bride . With her were Mr. and Mrs. Thornycroft , Dr. and Mrs. Ianson , and another lady . The latter quickly passed out of the immediate circle , and sat down in a retired corner of the room . Agatha looked pale and worn out , which was no wonder , considering that for several days she had endured , morning , noon , and night , all the wearisome preparations which the kind-hearted Emma deemed indispensable to `` a really nice wedding . '' But her betrothed noticed her paleness with troubled eyes . `` You are not ill , my darling ? '' `` No , '' said Agatha , abruptly , blushing lest any one should hear the tender word , which none had ever used to her before , and blushing still deeper when , meeting Major Harper 's anxious looks fixed on them both , she fancied he had heard .