seven o'clock
And with all the sheer powerful insolence of desire he looked forward to the evening . For he almost expected Manfredi would not be there . The officer had said something about having to go to Padua on the Saturday afternoon . So Aaron went skipping off to his appointment , at seven o'clock . Judge of his chagrin , then , when he found already seated in the salotta an elderly , quite well-known , very cultured and very well-connected English authoress . She was charming , in her white hair and dress of soft white wool and white lace , with a long chain of filigree gold beads , like bubbles . She was charming in her old-fashioned manner too , as if the world were still safe and stable , like a garden in which delightful culture , and choice ideas bloomed safe from wind and weather .