noon
Ah , that was Clara ! '' Sigismund did not let him carry the discourse further for fear that deeply wounding recollections might burst forth bright and flaming . It was about this time that the four happy persons thought of going to the estate . They were crossing , at noon , the streets of the city , where they had made several purchases , and the high steeple of the town-house already cast its gigantic shadow over the market-place . `` Oh , '' said Clara , `` let us ascend it once more , and look at the distant mountains ! '' No sooner said than done . Nathaniel and Clara both ascended the steps , the mother returned home with the servant , and Lothaire , not inclined to clamber up so many steps , chose to remain below .