noon
I hurried by , and ascended the stairs . Mrs. Linwood followed me to the door of my apartment , then taking me by both hands , she looked me full in the face , with a mildly reproachful glance . `` O , Gabriella ! if your spirit sink thus early , if you can not bear the burden you have assumed , in the bright morning hour of love , how will you be able to support it in the sultry noon of life , or in the weariness of its declining day ? You are very young , -- you have a long pilgrimage before you . If you droop now , where will be the strength to sustain in a later , darker hour ? '' `` I shall not meet it , '' I answered , trying in vain to repress the rising sob .