six o'clock
He would have to leave the country for a while ; but Giovanni once dead , it would be easy to make Donna Tullia believe they had fought on her account , and to derive all the advantage there was to be gained from posing before the world as her defender . But though Del Ferice 's rest was disturbed by the contemplation of his difficulties , he did not neglect any precaution which might save his strength for the morrow . He lay down upon his bed , stretching himself at full length , and carefully keeping his right arm free , lest , by letting his weight fall upon it as he lay , he should benumb the muscles or stiffen the joints ; from time to time he rubbed a little strengthening ointment upon his wrist , and he was careful that the light should not shine in his eyes and weary them . At six o'clock his seconds appeared with the surgeon they had engaged , and the four men were soon driving rapidly down the Corso towards the gate . So punctual were the two parties that they arrived simultaneously at the gate of the villa which had been selected for the encounter . The old Prince took a key from his pocket and himself opened the great iron gate . The carriages drove in , and the gates were closed by the astonished porter , who came running out as they creaked upon their hinges .