about noon
It stands on the spur of a lower central eminence crowned by a grey castle , and the sun has it from every aspect . The shape of a swan in water may describe its position , for the Vintschgau and the stony Passeyrthal make a strong curve on two sides as they descend upon it with their rivers , and the bosom of the city projects , while the head appears bending gracefully backward . Many castles are in view of it ; the loud and tameless Passeyr girdles it with an emerald cincture ; there is a sea of arched vineyard foliage at his feet . Vittoria reached the Castle of Sonnenberg about noon , and found empty courts and open doors . She sat in the hall like a supplicant , disregarded by the German domestics , who beheld a travel-stained humble - faced young Italian woman , and supposed that their duty was done in permitting her to rest ; but the duchess 's maid Aennchen happening to come by , questioned her in moderately intelligible Italian , and hearing her name gave a cry , and said that all the company were out hunting , shooting , and riding , in the vale below or the mountain above . `` Ah , dearest lady , what a fright we have all been in about you ! Signora Piaveni has not slept a wink , and the English gentleman has made great excursions every day to find you .