noon
I will tell the Blessed Virgin about it ; '' and kneeling before the shrine , she prayed fervently and long . She rose comforted , and drawing the baby 's cradle out into the veranda , seated herself at her embroidery . Her skill with her needle had proved a not inconsiderable source of income , her fine lace-work being always taken by San Diego merchants , and at fairly good prices . It seemed to her only a short time that she had been sitting thus , when , glancing up at the sun , she saw it was near noon ; at the same moment she saw Alessandro approaching , with the horses . In dismay , she thought , `` There is no dinner ! He said he would not come ! '' and springing up , was about to run to meet him , when she observed that he was not alone .