noon
Home at last ! I smiled -- my whole frame quivered with expectancy and delight . It was not my intention to seek admission by the principal entrance -- I contented myself with one long , loving look , and turned to the left , where there was a small private gate leading into an avenue of ilex and pine , interspersed with orange-trees . This was a favorite walk of mine , partly on account of its pleasant shade even in the hottest noon -- partly because it was seldom frequented by any member of the household save myself . Guido occasionally took a turn with me there , but I was more often alone , and I was fond of pacing up and down in the shadow of the trees , reading some favorite book , or giving myself up to the dolce far niente of my own imaginings . The avenue led round to the back of the villa , and as I now entered it , I thought I would approach the house cautiously by this means and get private speech with Assunta , the nurse who had charge of little Stella , and who was moreover an old and tried family servant , in whose arms my mother had breathed her last . The dark trees rustled solemnly as I stepped quickly yet softly along the familiar moss-grown path .