twelve o'clock
`` But let us eschew politics , and enjoy the bliss of the hour . To-day la bella Venezia puts forth all her charms . And as the swift gondolas skim over the green waters of the lagoon , so flies my heart toward my bellissima Venetiana ! '' At twelve o'clock . Laura left her dressing-room to join the Marquis de Strozzi and his sister in the drawing-room below . `` Great heavens , how beautiful ! '' cried Lucretia , embracing her .