Morning, noon
This happened just four years and a half ago ; and then it was that his connexion commenced with Miss Walladmor -- a connexion which has since determined the whole course of his life . `` Miss Walladmor was at that time not more than sixteen years old : she was exquisitely beautiful ; and , though prematurely womanly in the developement of her person , had yet an expression of almost childlike innocence in her style of countenance which made it peculiarly charming . Edward Nicholas first saw her in the woods of Tre Mawr from a situation where he was himself unseen ; and so powerfully was he fascinated that from that hour he abandoned all his schemes in South America . Morning , noon , and night , he spent in devising some means of introducing himself to her notice : but love , where it is deep and pure , is also timid -- delicate -- and reverential . Captain Nicholas , moreover , was aware of Miss Walladmor 's rank and expectations : these , on many accounts , as they tended to misinterpret his motives , made him shy of intruding himself upon her notice . But at length chance did for him what he could never have done for himself . In the woods of Tre Mawr ridings are cut in all directions , and for many miles : these , being on the Walladmor domain and so near to the park , are considered part of the grounds ; and Miss Walladmor was accustomed to ride here almost daily without attendants .