noon
All sleep and appetite fled from me ; I could only read and re-read his letter , and in the solitude of the woods imagine the moment of our meeting . On the eve of the third day I retired early to my room ; I could not sleep but paced all night about my chamber and , as you may in Scotland at midsummer , watched the crimson track of the sun as it almost skirted the northern horizon . At day break I hastened to the woods ; the hours past on while I indulged in wild dreams that gave wings to the slothful steps of time , and beguiled my eager impatience . My father was expected at noon but when I wished to return to me -LSB- e -RSB- t him I found that I had lost my way : it seemed that in every attempt to find it I only became more involved in the intracacies of the woods , and the trees hid all trace by which I might be guided . -LSB- 16 -RSB- I grew impatient , I wept ; -LSB- _ sic _ -RSB- and wrung my hands but still I could not discover my path . It was past two o'clock when by a sudden turn I found myself close to the lake near a cove where a little skiff was moored -- It was not far from our house and I saw my father and aunt walking on the lawn . I jumped into the boat , and well accustomed to such feats , I pushed it from shore , and exerted all my strength to row swiftly across .