Then she took heart again.

If he rode at dawn, it was not in quest of Richard that he went, since it had been near eleven o'clock when she had left Bridgwater.

He must have gone on other business first, and, doubtless, before he went to the encounter he would be returning home.

"Said he at what hour he would return ?" she asked.
"He bade us expect him by noon, madam." This gave confirmation to her thoughts.

It wanted more than half an hour to noon already.