noon
Meanwhile Godolphin , mastering his emotion , sought the host and hostess ; and begging them to visit his lodging that evening , to receive certain directions and rewards , hastily left the house . But instead of returning home , the desire for a brief solitude and self-commune , which usually follows strong excitement , -LRB- and which , in all less ordinary events , suggested his sole counsellors or monitors to the musing Godolphin -RRB- , led his steps in an opposite direction . Scarcely conscious whither he was wandering , he did not pause till he found himself in that green and still valley in which the pilgrim beholds the grotto of Egeria . It was noon , and the day warm , but not overpowering . The leaf slept on the old trees that are scattered about that little valley ; and amidst the soft and rich turf the wanderer 's step disturbed the lizard , basking its brilliant hues in the noontide , and glancing rapidly through the herbage as it retreated . And from the trees , and through the air , the occasional song of the birds -LRB- for in Italy their voices are rare -RRB- floated with a peculiar clearness , and even noisiness of music , along the deserted haunts of the Nymph . The scene , rife with its beautiful associations , recalled Godolphin from his reverie .