noon
Elfride set to work there and then . Her one desire for the last fortnight seemed likely to be realized . As happens with sensitive and secluded minds , a continual dwelling upon the subject had magnified to colossal proportions the space she assumed herself to occupy or to have occupied in the occult critic 's mind . At noon and at night she had been pestering herself with endeavours to perceive more distinctly his conception of her as a woman apart from an author : whether he really despised her ; whether he thought more or less of her than of ordinary young women who never ventured into the fire of criticism at all . Now she would have the satisfaction of feeling that at any rate he knew her true intent in crossing his path , and annoying him so by her performance , and be taught perhaps to despise it a little less . Four days later an envelope , directed to Miss Swancourt in a strange hand , made its appearance from the post-bag . ` Oh , ' said Elfride , her heart sinking within her .