the hour of eleven
And they parted from each other , not daring to hold further conversation lest they might be observed , and their future plans suspected and defeated by the agents of her uncle . Petro determined to prevent this meeting , or rather to be present at it , and he hurried from the spot without meeting Carlton , resolving to be punctually at the terrace a little before eleven . It was evident that he had formed some plan in which he placed much confidence , by the revengeful smile that played about his scornful lips . It was near the hour of eleven that night , when Carlton drew near the little terrace that jutted from the window of Florinda 's apartment , He saw by the pale moonlight reflected upon the clock of the neighboring church , that it lacked yet some fifteen minutes of the appointed time for the meeting , and humming lightly to himself , to kill the minutes , he sat down within a shady angle of the palace wall . His approach was noted by the watchful Petro who , as soon as he saw him seated , determined , if possible , to obtain possession of the answer which he knew Carlton awaited ! To accomplish this purpose , required much cunning and prudence ; but he was fully equal to the plan-for what Italian has not cunning and intrigue in his natural disposition ? In pursuance of this object , he approached the little terrace before alluded to , and which was a trifle higher than his head , and situated at this time within the shadow of the moon .