midnight
asked the Count . `` A tolerable journey betwixt now and to-morrow noon , '' Kenyon replied ; `` for , at that hour , I purpose to be standing by the Pope 's statue in the great square of Perugia . '' Perugia , on its lofty hilltop , was reached by the two travellers before the sun had quite kissed away the early freshness of the morning . Since midnight , there had been a heavy , rain , bringing infinite refreshment to the scene of verdure and fertility amid which this ancient civilization stands ; insomuch that Kenyon loitered , when they came to the gray city wall , and was loath to give up the prospect of the sunny wilderness that lay below . It was as green as England , and bright as Italy alone . There was all the wide valley , sweeping down and spreading away on all sides from the weed grown ramparts , and bounded afar by mountains , which lay asleep in the sun , with thin mists and silvery clouds floating about their heads by way of morning dreams . `` It lacks still two hours of noon , '' said the sculptor to his friend , as they stood under the arch of the gateway , waiting for their passports to be examined ; `` will you come with me to see some admirable frescos by Perugino ?