three o'clock in the afternoon
I took it from him ; it was in the hand of Virginia , the hand I myself had guided , the good and docile hand which had formed itself on mine . I read -- O Heaven , can I say so ? The words , like knives at work , cut themselves deep into the fibres of my heart . Virginia wrote : `` MOST EXCELLENT DON FRANCIS , -- `` That cavalcade of his lordship 's , of four horses and two servants , entering this city of Arezzo at three o'clock in the afternoon of to - day , was witnessed by a concourse of people , always eager to see a great gentleman , and to secure some part of his bounty . Had his lordship lifted his eyes to the windows of the shops and houses of the poor as he passed by , he would have seen Virginia Strozzi at her needlework -- that poor creature whose virtue his lordship was so benevolent as to protect ; for which truly gracious act his same poor Virginia must always be grateful . It would have been a great kindness in his lordship to have allowed one , who ever tried to be faithful and obedient , to kiss his noble hand ; and his Virginia can not doubt but that she might have done so . His lordship 's nobility of mind and generosity of heart are so well known , that for the very reason of them she has not dared to present herself .