noon
-- John Oxon ! '' she cried out , `` God laughs at women -- why shouldst not thou ? '' and her paroxysm began again . At high noon a wagoner whose cart was loaded with hay drove into the rick yard of a decent farm-house some hours ' journey from the turn in the road where my lord Marquess had been so strangely checked in his gallop . An elderly gentleman in Chaplain 's garb and bands rode by the rough conveyance , and on a bed made in the hay a woman lay and groaned in mortal anguish . The good woman of the house this reverend gentleman saw alone and had discourse with , paying her certain moneys for the trouble she would be put to by the charge he commanded to her , himself accompanying her when she went out to the wagon to care for its wretched burden . Throughout the night she watched by her patient 's bedside , but as day dawned she left it for a moment to call the Chaplain to come quickly , he having remained in the house that he might be at hand if need should be , in accordance with his patron 's wishes . ''