noon
Impotence for revenge burned into the soul of him like a corrosive poison . Oh , let him but come within his grip again and he should not escape so easily . Sits the wind still in that quarter ? The burthen droned in his head , angry conclusion to each long spell of inconclusive thought , as he still paced the garden , till the noon hour began to wane . And it was in this mood , that , at length , returning to his study , he crossed in one of the back passages a young woman enveloped in a brilliant scarlet and black shawl , who started in evident dismay on being confronted with him . Rupert knew by sight and name every wench of kitchen and laundry , as well as every one of the buxom lasses or dames whom business brought periodically to the great hall . That this person was neither of the household nor one of the usual back-door visitors , he would have seen at a glance , even had not her own embarrassment drawn his closer attention .