about
noon
But I have no fear for you ; you can afford a sentimental education . '' Sanchia did not tell her old friend how far that education was proceeding -- not because she was afraid , still less because she was ashamed , but in obedience to her nature , which was extremely reserved . She spoke of herself and her affairs with difficulty -- never unless she was forced . But it had become a custom just now -- in the dull days on either side of Christmas -- to look for Morosine in the reading-room about noon , to stroll the galleries for half-an-hour , to receive and to agree to a lightly-offered proposition that they should lunch together , and -LRB- it might well be -RRB- to accept his escort homewards . This , I say , had become the rule of three days in the week , more or less . And it 's not to be supposed that so clear-sighted a young lady could see so much of so keen-sighted a man without a good deal of self-communing . Her capacity for silent meditation , during which she would sit before her fire , gazing far , smiling at her thoughts , into the glowing coals , had never left her .