nine o'clock
It was Roma who had betrayed him . Whatever her reasons or excuse , the result was the same . She had given up the deepest secrets of his soul , and his life 's work was in the dust . The marshal of Carabineers came to say that they were to go on to Rome , and at nine o'clock they were again in the train . People in holiday dress were promenading the platform and the station was hung with flags . A gentleman in a white waistcoat was about to step into the compartment with the Carabineers and their prisoner , when , recognising his travelling companions , he bowed and stepped back . It was the Sergeant of the Chamber , returning after the Easter vacation from his villa on one of the lakes .