nearly noon
As the sun rose the breeze gradually fell away , and in an hour or so there was only a light air . The canoe had left most of the islets and was approaching the open Lake when , as she passed almost the last , the yard caught the overhanging branch of a willow , the canoe swung round and grounded gently under the shadow of the tree . For some time the little wavelets beat against the side of the boat ; gradually they ceased , and the clear and beautiful water became still . Felix slept till nearly noon , when he awoke and sat up . At the sudden movement a pike struck , and two moorhens scuttled out of the water into the grass on the shore . A thrush was singing sweetly , whitethroats were busy in the bushes , and swallows swept by overhead . Felix drew a long deep breath of intense relief ; it was like awakening in Paradise .