noon
Montreal 's eyes and Adeline 's met ; and in that gaze Adeline forgot all her sorrows . With a practised and skilful hand , Adrian touched the strings ; and selecting a song which was less elaborate than those mostly in vogue amongst his countrymen , though still conceived in the Italian spirit , and in accordance with the sentiment he had previously expressed to Adeline , he sang as follows : -- Love 's Excuse for Sadness . Chide not , beloved , if oft with thee I feel not rapture wholly ; For aye the heart that 's fill 'd with love , Runs o'er in melancholy . To streams that glide in noon , the shade From summer skies is given ; So , if my breast reflects the cloud , ` Tis but the cloud of heaven ! Thine image glass 'd within my soul So well the mirror keepeth ; That , chide me not , if with the light The shadow also sleepeth . `` And now , '' said Adrian , as he concluded , `` the lute is to you : I but preclude your prize . '' The Provencal laughed , and shook his head .