noon
* * * * * Late that night , when all their visitors were gone , Eleanor showed unusual animation . She left her sofa ; she walked up and down their little sitting-room , giving directions to Marie about the journey home ; and at last she informed them with a gaiety that made mock of their opposition that she had made all arrangements to start very early the following morning to visit the doctor in Orvieto who had attended her in June . Lucy protested and implored , but soon found that everything was settled , and Eleanor was determined . She was to go alone with Marie , in the Contessa 's carriage , starting almost with the dawn so as to avoid the heat : to spend the hot noon under shelter at Orvieto ; and to return in the evening . Lucy pressed at least to go with her . So it appeared had the Contessa . But Eleanor would have neither .