noon
Gifted and cultivated as she was , it was not without delight that she listened to his glowing descriptions of scenery , and to his playful yet somewhat melancholy strain of irony upon men and their pursuits . The peculiar features of her mind made her , indeed , like the latter more than she could appreciate the former ; for in her nature there was more bitterness than sentiment . Still , his rich language and fluent periods , even in description , touched her ear and fancy , though they sank not to her heart ; and she yielded insensibly to the spells she would almost have despised in another . The next day , Constance , who was no very early riser , tempted by the beauty of the noon , strolled into the gardens . She was surprised to hear Godolphin 's voice behind her : she turned round and he joined her . `` I thought you were on your shooting expedition ? '' `` I have been shooting , and I am returned .