nine o'clock
And the longing became intolerable , for lack of these things , like a burning thirst where there is no water ; and the perfect peace was all consumed in that raging wish , and the quiet was disquiet , and the two consciousnesses felt that each was learning to suffer again for want of the other , till what had been heaven was hell , and earth would be better , or total destruction and the extinguishing of all identity , or anything that was not , rather than the least prolonging of what was . The last change now ; back to the world , and to a human body . Lamberti was waked by a vigorous knocking at his door , which was locked as usual . It was nine o'clock , and a servant had brought him Guido 's note . `` My dear friend , '' it said , `` I was altogether in the wrong yesterday . Please forgive me . I quite understand your position with regard to the Contessina , and hers towards you , but I sincerely hope that in the end you may be good friends .