noon
There is no word fitly descriptive of the place . Ravine implies narrowness ; gorge signifies depth ; valley means width ; dell is too toylike . A summer retreat more delicious could not be imagined . Except at noon the sun did but barely glance into it . Extending hundreds of yards back from the bay toward the highlands west of the town , it was a perfected garden of roses and flowering vines and shrubs , with avenues of boxwood and acacias leading up to ample reservoirs hidden away in a grove of beeches . The water flowing thence became brooks or was diverted to enliven fountains . One pipe carried it in generous flow to the summit of the promontory .