Half past six
_ Addio _ , Costantina , '' she waved her hand toward her namesake . The washer-woman laughed again and her earrings flashed in the sunlight . Giuseppe raised the yellow sail ; they caught the breeze , and the _ Farfalla _ floated away . Half past six on Friday morning and Constance appeared on the terrace ; Constance in fluffy , billowy , lacy white with a spray of oleander in her belt -- the last costume in the world in which one would start on a mountain climb . She cast a glance in passing toward the gateway and the stretch of road visible beyond , but both were empty , and seating herself on the parapet , she turned her attention to the lake . The breeze that blew from the farther shore brought fresh Alpine odors of flowers and pine trees . Constance sniffed it eagerly as she gazed across toward the purple outline of Monte Maggiore .