noon
The words haunted Lucia after she lay down in her little white bed that night . There , in the midst of every object familiar to her through all her life , surrounded by the perfect atmosphere of home , she repeated , with wondering trouble , the threat that had come to her . When at last she slept , these words , and the pale face of her mother bending over her as she closed her eyes , mixed themselves with her dreams . At last , she fancied that a violent storm had come on in the very noon of a brilliant summer day . She herself , her mother , Percy and Maurice seemed to be standing on the river bank watching how the sky darkened , and the water rose in great waves at their feet . Suddenly a canoe appeared , and in it a hideous old squaw , who approached the shore , and stretching out a long bony hand drew her away from her mother 's side , and in spite of her terror made her step into the frail boat , which instantly flew down the stream into the darkest and wildest of the storm . She stretched out her arms for help -- Percy stood still upon the bank , as if anxious but unable to give it -- Maurice waved his hand to her , and turned away .