nine o'clock
Matilda invited him to perform national airs on all occasions , and both admired him as openly as if he had been a pretty child . Lavinia always cherished a dark suspicion that she narrowly escaped destruction on that eventful night ; for , judging from the frequent melody , and the speed of the horses , she was sure that either Amanda tooted and Matilda drove , or that both so bewildered the brigand that he lost his head . However , it was all so delightful that even Granny felt the charm , and was sure that if they did upset in some romantic spot , a Doctor Antonio would spring up as quickly as a mushroom , and mend their bones , marry one of her giddy charges , and end the affair in the most appropriate manner . Nothing happened , fortunately , and by nine o'clock they were safely at Lugano , and , tearing themselves from the dear brigand , were taken possession of by a shadowy being , who fed them in a marble hall with statues ten feet high glaring at them as they ate , then led them to a bower which had pale green doors , a red carpet , blue walls , and yellow bed covers , -- all so gay it was like sleeping in a rainbow . As if another lovely lake under the windows , and moonlight _ ad libitum _ , was not enough , they had music also . Lavinia scorned the idea of sleep , and went prowling about the rooms , hanging over the balconies , and doing the romantic in a style that was a disgrace to her years . She it was who made the superb discovery that the music they heard came from across the way , and that by opening a closet window they could look into a theatre and see the stage .