noon
` Time ! we must wait . ' Venetia consoled her mother ; she affected even a gaiety of spirit ; she was sure that Vicenzo would turn out to be right , after all ; Pauncefort said he always was right , and that they were at Leghorn . The day wore apace ; the noon arrived and passed ; it was even approaching sunset . Lady Annabel was almost afraid to counterorder the usual meals , lest Venetia should comprehend her secret terror ; the very same sentiment influenced Venetia . Thus they both had submitted to the ceremony of breakfast , but when the hour of dinner approached they could neither endure the mockery . They looked at each other , and almost at the same time they proposed that , instead of dining , they should walk down to the bay .