noon
Trombin had rightly guessed that the fugitives would rest themselves in Ferrara , where they would be safe within the Pope 's dominions , and beyond the reach of Venetian law . By the old road the city was nearly a hundred miles from Padua , and it was only by a lavish use of money that Stradella succeeded in reaching it at midnight , after leaving Padua soon after sunrise . Ortensia was utterly exhausted , and even Pina , who was very strong , was beginning to be worn out . They had trouble in getting into the inn at that hour , and when they at last succeeded , they found that there was only one room to be had , although , as the sleepy servant who had let them in added , they might have the whole house to themselves the next day , for all the travellers would be gone again long before noon . Pina slept with her mistress , while Stradella and his man rolled themselves in their cloaks and lay down outside the door , with valises for pillows ; for they expected to be pursued , and though they had made good time , they knew that mounted men , with frequent relays of horses , might overtake them before morning . It was not Stradella 's first adventure , though it was his last , and he fully realised that Pignaver would use every means to wreak his vengeance . It could not have occurred to the runaways that three days would be wasted in searching Venice before the pursuit actually began .