midday
Mr. Tuckham presented himself to take his leave of her . Old Mrs. Beauchamp was dying , and he had only come to Mount Laurels on special business . Beauchamp was just as anxious to hurry away . Her father found her sitting in the solitude of a drawing-room at midday , pale-faced , with unoccupied fingers , not even a book in her lap . He walked up and down the room until Cecilia , to say something , said : ` Mr. Tuckham could not stay . ' ` No , ' said her father ; ` he could not . He has to be back as quick as he can to cut his legacy in halves ! '