noon
Life and liberty , while safe , are little thought of : for why ? they are matters of course . Endangered , they are rated at their real value . In this , too , they are like sunshine , whose beauty men notice not at noon when it is greatest , but towards evening , when it lies in flakes of topaz under shady elms . Yet it is feebler then ; but gloom lies beside it , and contrast reveals its fire . Thus Gerard and Margaret , though they started at every leaf that rustled louder than its fellows , glowed all over with joy and thankfulness as they glided among the friendly trees in safety and deep tranquil silence , baying dogs and brutal voices yet ringing in their mind 's ears . But presently Gerard found stains of blood on Margaret 's ankles .