two o'clock
There remained the two orderlies , who could not be prevented from telling the story to their wives and friends if they liked ; but they were trusty , middle-aged men of good character ; they shared the affectionate admiration for Sister Giovanna which almost every one in the Convent hospital felt for her , and they would be the very last to say a word to her discredit . These circumstances account well enough for the fact that the story did not get into the newspapers at the time . Sister Giovanna went back to her work , but she did not go near Ugo Severi , and she gave strict orders that his brother , if he came to see him again during the day , was to be accompanied to the door of the room by an orderly . As Ugo had swallowed nothing but a cup of black coffee before coming to the hospital , and was therefore in a condition to take ether , Pieri had given notice that he would operate on the injured foot at two o'clock . There would be no need for the presence of the supervising nurse , who would have no difficulty in keeping out of Giovanni 's way for the present , as he would certainly not be allowed to roam the hospital in search of her . She meant to meet him once and alone , no matter how she might be hindered , and nothing that the Mother Superior or Monsignor Saracinesca could say should make it impossible . She knew that he would try every means of seeing her , and when he succeeded in making an opportunity which she could accept , she would take it , come what might ; till then , she must wait , and while she was waiting she would find the strength she needed .