noon
The girl , Molly , had read toilsomely through `` Pamela , '' and saw no reason why an equally attractive housemaid should not aspire to an equally high destiny on this side of the ocean . But , often as she artfully contrived that the black boy should forget some part of the guest 's dinner , and timely as she planned her own visits with the missing portion , she found the officer heedless of her smiles , engrossed sometimes in his meal , sometimes in his book , sometimes in both . She conceived a loathing for that book , more than once resisted a temptation to make way with it , and , having one day stolen a look into it , thenceforth abominated the poor young lady of it , with all the undying bitterness of an unpreferred rival . Though Elizabeth and her aunt found each other reticent , they yet passed their time together , breakfasting early , then visiting the widow Babcock or some tenant , dining at noon , spending the early afternoon , the one at her book or embroidery , the other in a siesta before the fireplace , supping early , then preparing for the night by a brisk walk in the garden , or on the terrace , or to the orchard and back . Elizabeth had Williams provided with instructions as to his conduct in the event of a visit from King 's troops , and , to make Peyton 's security still less uncertain , she confined her walks to the immediate vicinity . The house itself was kept in a pretence of being closed , the shutters of the parlor being skilfully adjusted to admit light , and yet , from the road , appear fast . Thus Elizabeth , finding enjoyment in the very look and atmosphere of the old house , fulfilled quietly the purpose of her capricious visit , and at the same time cherished a dreamy pleasure such as she had not thought of finding in that visit .