noon
After all , he was old enough to be my father , and if a man old enough to be my father could be so foolish as to fall in love with an adventuress , let him take the consequences . I should not so much have minded incurring Sir Roland 's wrath , but , knowing him as well as I did , I felt positive that anything I might say would only strengthen his trust in and attachment to this woman he had decided to wed. . He might even turn upon me and tell me to my face that I was striving to oppose his marriage because his marrying must , of course , affect my pecuniary position -- an old man who falls in love becomes for the time , I have always maintained , mentally deranged . Preston conversed at considerable length with Dick Challoner , and , by the time I rose to leave -- for I had to call at Willow Street for Dulcie at noon -- the two appeared to have become great friends . `` I shall take you with me to call for Dulcie , '' I said to Dick as we went out . `` Then we shall drive you to Paddington , put you in the train for Windsor , and leave you to your own devices . '' `` I wish I had n't lost my suit-case , '' Dick observed ruefully .