midday
She checked a sigh , as if she understood that it was useless to appeal to him , and after a pause Howard said : `` You have n't told me the great secret yet . '' She seemed to wake from a reverie , and said , listlessly : `` It will not be a secret for many hours . Sir Stephen is expecting the peerage to-night . The official intimation should have reached him by midday ; but the prime minister did not return to London till this afternoon and the formalities were not completed . I think it will be announced to-night . '' Her eyes shone and a spot of colour started to her cheeks . `` You are glad ? ''