six o’clock
Moreover , he was not opposed to Dario 's marriage with Benedetta , whom he also loved with a paternal affection ; and so proud was he of the family honour , and so convinced of the young people 's pious rectitude that , in taking them to live with him , he absolutely scorned the abominable rumours which Count Prada 's friends in the white world had begun to circulate ever since the two cousins had resided under the same roof . Donna Serafina guarded Benedetta , as he , the Cardinal , guarded Dario , and in the silence and the gloom of the vast deserted mansion , ensanguined of olden time by so many tragic deeds of violence , there now only remained these four with their restrained , stilled passions , last survivors of a crumbling world upon the threshold of a new one . When Abbe Pierre Froment all at once awoke from sleep , his head heavy with painful dreams , he was worried to find that the daylight was already waning . His watch , which he hastened to consult , pointed to six o'clock . Intending to rest for an hour at the utmost , he had slept on for nearly seven hours , overcome beyond power of resistance . And even on awaking he remained on the bed , helpless , as though he were conquered before he had fought . Why , he wondered , did he experience this prostration , this unreasonable discouragement , this quiver of doubt which had come he knew not whence during his sleep , and which was annihilating his youthful enthusiasm of the morning ?