noon
I rose to obey her ; our eyes met , and she threw herself into my extended arms . We whispered anew our vows of eternal love . She called me her husband , and I pronounced the endearing name of wife . A burning kiss sealed the compact ; and , on her archly observing that the sleep of her father continued about two hours at noon , and that the old woman and her daughter were always occupied within doors , I promised to repeat my visit every second day until she finally quitted her retreat to be my own for life . Again the bell was rung ; and this time with a violence that indicated impatience of delay . I tore myself from her arms , darted to the aperture , and kissing my hand in reply to the graceful waving of her scarf as she half turned in her own flight , sunk finally from her view ; and at length , after making the same efforts , and mastering the same obstacles that had marked and opposed my advance , once more found myself at the point whence I had set out in pursuit of the wounded deer . `` Many were the congratulations I received from my companions , whom I found waiting my return .