eight
o'clock
One of the three gentlemen said that he had undertaken to collect and pay over the money , but he added that it was not necessary for Mr. George to pay at that time . Mr. George , however , preferred to do so , and he accordingly took out his purse and paid his four scudi and a half , which was the amount due for three persons . The gentlemen seemed to be quite pleased to find that their party was thus made up , and they told Mr. George that since he had taken and paid for the three remaining places , he might bring with him any number of persons that he pleased , so long as he did not make the party more than fifteen in all . It was agreed , too , that the party was to rendezvous that evening , at eight o'clock , at the foot of the grand staircase , leading from the portico of St. Peter 's up to the principal court of the Vatican . Mr. George , as soon as he went home , sent Rollo to Mrs. Beekman 's room to inform her of the proposed party , and to ask her if she would like to join it . `` And may I invite Allie too ? '' asked Rollo .