the sun of noon
Yonder the triumphal arch of Constantine , its Corinthian arcades , and the history of Trajan sculptured upon its marble ; the dark and gloomy verdure of the Palatine ; the ruins of the palace of the Caesars ; the mount of Fable , of Fame , of Luxury -LRB- the Three Epochs of Nations -RRB- ; the habitation of Saturn ; the home of Tully ; the sight of the Golden House of Nero ! Look at your feet , -- look around ; the waving weed , the broken column -- Time 's witness , and the Earthquake 's . In that contrast between grandeur and decay , -- in the unutterable and awful solemnity that , while rife with the records of past ages , is sad also with their ravage , you have felt the nature of eternity ! Through this vast amphitheatre , and giving way to such meditations , Godolphin passed on alone , the day after his meeting with Saville ; and at the hour he had promised the latter to seek him , he mounted the wooden staircase which conducts the stranger to the wonders above the arena , and by one of the arches that looked over the still pines that slept afar off in the sun of noon , he saw a female in deep mourning , whom Saville appeared to be addressing . He joined them ; the female turned round , and he beheld , pale and saddened , but how glorious still , the face of Constance ! To him the interview was unexpected , by her foreseen . The colour flushed over her cheek , the voice sank inaudible within .