noon
He got up , opened the window to inhale the air , and looking out , saw a man throw himself off a horse , which was all in foam , and enter the house . Surprised at this circumstance , he descended to the parlor to make inquiry , and met the man in the hall , who , being Pembroke 's messenger , had returned express from the Castle , bearing an order from Sir Robert -LRB- who was taken alarmingly ill -RRB- that his son must come back immediately . Dismayed with this new distress , Mr. Somerset , on its instant information , pressed the count so closely to his breast when he bade him farewell , that a more suspicious person might have apprehended it was a final parting ; but Thaddeus discerned nothing more in the anguish of his friend 's countenance than fear for the safety of Sir Robert ; and fervently wishing his recovery , he bade Pembroke remember that should more assistance be necessary , Dr. Cavendish would remain at the Abbey until Lady Albina 's return to the Wolds . Mr. Somerset being gone , towards noon , when the count was anxiously awaiting the appearance of the physician from the room of the new invalid , he was disappointed by the abrupt entrance of two gentlemen . He rose , and with his usual courtesy to strangers , inquired their business ? The elder of the men , with a fierce countenance and a voice of thunder , announced himself to be the Earl of Tinemouth , and the other his son . `` We are come , '' said he , standing at a haughty distance -- `` we are come to carry from this nest of infamy Lady Albina Stanhope , whom some one of her mother 's paramours -- perhaps you , sir -- dared to steal from her father 's home yesterday evening .