noon
Glyndon , a man of pleasure and a regular attendant at the theatre , had remarked the young actress behind the scenes ; he fell in love with her , and he told her so . The girl listened to him , perhaps from vanity , perhaps from ambition , perhaps from coquetry ; she listened , and allowed but few stolen interviews , in which she permitted no favor to the Englishman it was one reason why he loved her so much . The day following that on which our story opens , Glyndon was riding alone by the shores of the Neapolitan sea , on the other side of the Cavern of Pausilippo . It was past noon ; the sun had lost its early fervor , and a cool breeze sprang voluptuously from the sparkling sea . Bending over a fragment of stone near the roadside , he perceived the form of a man ; and when he approached he recognized Zicci . The Englishman saluted him courteously . `` Have you discovered some antique ? ''