noon
They congratulated each other on the charming season ; and Mistress Pauncefort received a formal invitation to join the party and go a-nutting with one of her fellow-servants and his lordship 's valet . The good Doctor was rather late , but he arrived at last on his stout steed , in his accustomed cheerful mood . Here was a party of pleasure which all agreed must be pleasant ; no strangers to amuse , or to be amusing , but formed merely of four human beings who spent every day of their lives in each other 's society , between whom there was the most complete sympathy and the most cordial good-will . By noon they were all mounted on their steeds , and though the air was warmed by a meridian sun shining in a clear sky , there was a gentle breeze abroad , sweet and grateful ; and moreover they soon entered the wood and enjoyed the shelter of its verdant shade . The abbey looked most picturesque when they first burst upon it ; the nearer and wooded hills , which formed its immediate background , just tinted by the golden pencil of autumn , while the meads of the valley were still emerald green ; and the stream , now lost , now winding , glittered here and there in the sun , and gave a life and sprightliness to the landscape which exceeded even the effect of the more distant and expansive lake . They were received at the abbey by Mistress Pauncefort , who had preceded them , and who welcomed them with a complacent smile . Cadurcis hastened to assist Lady Annabel to dismount , and was a little confused but very pleased when she assured him she needed no assistance but requested him to take care of Venetia .