about a quarter to eight
Her beauty , like a sword , had severed the bonds of friendship that after all , when it DOES exist between two men , is better and braver than the love of woman . However , all regrets were unavailing now ; the evil was done , and there was no undoing it . I had little time left me for reflection ; each moment that passed brought me nearer to the end I had planned and foreseen . At about a quarter to eight my guests began to arrive , and one by one they all came in save two -- the brothers Respetti . While we were awaiting them , Ferrari entered in evening-dress , with the conscious air of a handsome man who knows he is looking his best . I readily admitted his charm of manner ; had I not myself been subjugated and fascinated by it in the old happy , foolish days ? He was enthusiastically greeted and welcomed back to Naples by all the gentlemen assembled , many of whom were his own particular friends .