midday
She took it and went up . The morning hours of the next day dragged by without incident . Charity had imagined that , in some way or other , she would learn whether Harney had already left ; but Verena 's deafness prevented her being a source of news , and no one came to the house who could bring enlightenment . Mr. Royall went out early , and did not return till Verena had set the table for the midday meal . When he came in he went straight to the kitchen and shouted to the old woman : `` Ready for dinner -- '' then he turned into the dining-room , where Charity was already seated . Harney 's plate was in its usual place , but Mr. Royall offered no explanation of his absence , and Charity asked none . The feverish exaltation of the night before had dropped , and she said to herself that he had gone away , indifferently , almost callously , and that now her life would lapse again into the narrow rut out of which he had lifted it .