noon
She spent the first night , as before , at the house of Captain Melville 's brother , and set out at eight the following morning , to ride for ten hours steadily northward . The day was like a day of June . The spring was opening early ; already fruit-trees were white and pink ; banks were green , and birds were noisy . By noon mountains came in sight . Draxy was spellbound . `` They are grander than the sea , '' thought she , `` and I never dreamed it ; and they are loving , too . I should like to rest my cheek on them . ''