nearly twelve o'clock
`` Then you are yourself much more paradoxical than the whole of our Roman society put together , '' answered Giovanni , with a dry laugh . `` Perhaps . There comes the most beautiful woman in the world . '' It was nearly twelve o'clock when Corona arrived , old Astrardente sauntering jauntily by her side , his face arranged with more than usual care , and his glossy wig curled cunningly to represent nature . He was said to possess a number of wigs of different lengths , which he wore in rotation , thus sustaining the impression that his hair was cut from time to time . In his eye a single eyeglass was adjusted , and as he walked he swung his hat delicately in his tightly gloved fingers . He wore the plainest of collars and the simplest of gold studs ; no chain dangled showily from his waistcoat-pocket , and his small feet were encased in little patent-leather shoes .