noon
she whispered . `` Sweet was the pain , my love , and sweetly hast thou healed it with thy magic . '' Then she kissed me , and so fled from the room , as one abashed , and came not back that day , when , indeed , I did not rise , nor for two days more , being weaker than we had deemed . But happiness is the greatest leech on earth , and does the rarest miracles of healing ; so in three days ' space I won strength to leave my bed and my room , and could sit by the door , at noon , in the sun of spring , that is warmer in France than in our own country . Now it could not be but that Elliot and I must meet , when her father was in town about his affairs , or busy in the painting-room , and much work he had then on his hands . But Elliot was right coy , hiding herself from me , who watched warily , till one day , when my master was abroad , I had the fortune to find her alone in the chamber , putting spring flowers in a very fair vessel of glass . I made no more ado , but coming in stealthily , I caught her boldly about the body , saying -- `` Yield you , rescue or no rescue , and strive not against me , lest you slay a wounded man-at-arms . ''