noon
`` No , miss , nothing . '' `` Thank you . '' And Jean walked back to spend a restless night and rise to meet renewed suspense . The morning seemed endless , but noon came at last , and under the pretense of seeking coolness in the grotto , Jean stole away to a slope whence the gate to the Hall park was visible . For two long hours she watched , and no one came . She was just turning away when a horseman dashed through the gate and came galloping toward the Hall . Heedless of everything but the uncontrollable longing to gain some tidings , she ran to meet him , feeling assured that he brought ill news .