about five o'clock
The American laughed light-heartedly at the sport of it . However , he accepted the letter to the archbishop . Derby did not realize until afterward that the entire conversation at the Palazzo Sansevero had been about his projects , and that , aside from a few generalities , he really knew nothing of Nina 's winter or of her Italian experiences . He returned to his hotel at about five o'clock , and was striding directly toward the smoking-room without glancing to right or left among the attractive groups that characterize the tea hour at the Excelsior , when he was arrested by some one 's calling , `` Why , John Derby ! '' In the crowd of persons and tables he looked blankly for a familiar face , but , as his name was repeated , he recognized Mrs. Bobby Davis and her sister , Mildred Hoyt . As soon as Derby reached their table , Mrs. Davis glibly rattled off the names of the four or five men who comprised their party . They were all Europeans , who , in regular afternoon attire -- frock coats , and flower in buttonhole -- were sipping tea and eating cake .