midnight
His instinct told him that she would presently recover consciousness and his emotions had so wholly overcome him that he could only look at her lovely face as her head rested upon his arm . But while he waited a great fear began to steal into his heart . He asked himself how Faustina had come to such a place , and how her coming was to be accounted for . It was long past midnight , now , and he guessed what trouble and anxiety there would be in her father 's house until she was found . He represented to himself in quick succession the scenes which would follow his appearance at the Palazzo Montevarchi with the youngest daughter of the family in his arms -- or in a cab , and he confessed to himself that never lover had been in such straits . Faustina opened her eyes and sighed , nestled her head softly on his breast , sighing again , in the happy consciousness that he was safe , and then at last she sat up and looked him in the face . `` I was so sure you were killed , '' said she , in her soft voice .