noon
The influences surrounding , the prospects in advance , were too exhilarating to permit of anything but passing shadows , and after an easy , delightful journey , they reached at length the charming vicinity of the romantic city of the sword . They had but another five miles ride , and it was the Senora 's pleasure to take it at the hour of midnight . She did not wish her return to be observed and talked about ; she was in reality very much mortified by the condition of her own and her daughters ' wardrobe . Consequently , though they made their noon camp so near to their journey 's end , they rested there until San Antonio was asleep and dreaming . It was the happiest rest of all the delightful ones they had known . The knowledge that it was the last stage of a journey so remarkable , made every one attach a certain tender value to the hours never to come back to the experiences never to be repeated . The Senora was gay as a child ; Isabel shared and accentuated her enthusiasms ; Luis was expressing his happiness in a variety of songs ; now glorifying his love in some pretty romance or serenade , again musically assuring liberty , or Texas , that he would be delighted at any moment to lay down his life for their sakes .