noon
Kenelm bent down and covered with kisses the blue ribbon which Lily 's hand had bound round the favourite 's neck . Blanche submitted to the caress for a moment , and then catching a slight rustle among the shrubs made by some awaking bird , sprang into the thick of the quivering leaves and vanished . Kenelm moved on with a quick impatient stride , and no further words were exchanged between him and his companion till they reached their lodging and parted for the night . THE next day , towards noon , Kenelm and his visitor , walking together along the brook-side , stopped before Izaak Walton 's summer-house , and , at Kenelm 's suggestion , entered therein to rest , and more at their ease to continue the conversation they had begun . `` You have just told me , '' said Kenelm , `` that you feel as if a load were taken off your heart , now that you have again met Jessie Somers , and that you find her so changed that she is no longer the woman you loved . As to the change , whatever it be , I own , it seems to me for the better , in person , in manners , in character ; of course I should not say this , if I were not convinced of your perfect sincerity when you assured me that you are cured of the old wound . But I feel so deeply interested in the question how a fervent love , once entertained and enthroned in the heart of a man so earnestly affectionate and so warm-blooded as yourself , can be , all of a sudden , at a single interview , expelled or transferred into the calm sentiment of friendship , that I pray you to explain . ''