one o'clock
I drew out pens and paper and commenced to write a few last instructions , in case the result of the fight should be fatal to me . I made them very concise and brief -- I knew , while writing , that they would not be needed . Still -- for the sake of form I wrote -- and sealing the document , I directed it to the Duke di Marina . I looked at my watch -- it was past one o'clock and Vincenzo had not yet returned . I went to the window , and drawing back the curtains , surveyed the exquisitely peaceful scene that lay before me . The moon was still high and bright -- and her reflection made the waters of the bay appear like a warrior 's coat of mail woven from a thousand glittering links of polished steel . Here and there , from the masts of anchored brigs and fishing-boats gleamed a few red and green lights burning dimly like fallen and expiring stars .