twenty minutes to eleven
His man had been sitting up with him at night since his illness had begun , and was easily persuaded to go to bed for the day . The other servant , who cooked what Guido needed , had prepared everything for the day , and had gone out . He always came back a little after twelve o'clock . At twenty minutes to eleven Lamberti took the key of the door and went to watch for Cecilia 's coming , and half an hour later he admitted her to the sitting room , shut the door after her , and left the two together . He went and sat down in the outer hall , in case any one should ring the bell , which had been muffled with a bit of soft leather while Guido was ill . Cecilia stood still a moment , after the door was closed ; behind her , and she lifted her veil to see her way , for there was not much light in the room . As she caught sight of Guido , a frank smile lighted up her face for an instant , and then died away in a look of genuine concern and anxiety .