noon
`` I have told you as a secret , Cousin Roger ; there must be no word to my father . '' I pledged myself to that ; for I could see what a spirit she had ; and we said no more about it then . As the day passed on , the sky grew heavy -- or rather the air ; for the sky was still blue overhead ; only on the horizon to the south the clouds that are called _ cumuli _ began to gather . The air was so hot too that I could scarcely bear to work , for I had set myself to take some plant-cuttings in a little glass-house that was in the garden against the south wall ; and by noon the sky was overcast . After dinner I went up to my chamber ; and a great heaviness fell upon me , till I looked out of the window and saw that beyond the limes the clouds spewed a reddish tint that marked the approach of thunder ; and at that grew reassured again ; and not only for myself but for my Cousin Dorothy , whose tale had lain close on my heart through the morning : for this thought I , is the explanation of it all : the maid was oppressed by the heat and the approaching storm , and fancied all the rest . I fell asleep in my chair , over my Italian ; and when I awakened it was near supper-time , and the heaviness was upon me again , like lead ; and my diary not written . After supper and some talk , I made excuse to do my writing ; and as it was growing dark , and I was finishing , I heard music from the Great Chamber beneath .