minutes before nine o’clock
She was a handsome woman , and he admired her courage . `` I know that growling brute well enough , '' he said to himself , `` but who can the lady be ? '' The dog was Scarammuccia , returning from one of his marauding expeditions The lady was Brigida , on her way to Luca Lomi 's studio . Some minutes before nine o'clock the priest took his post in the street , opposite Nanina 's window . It was open ; but neither she nor her little sister appeared at it . He looked up anxiously as the church-clocks struck the hour ; but there was no sign for a minute or so after they were all silent . `` Is she hesitating still ? ''