nearly one o'clock
The champagne was no longer in his blood . He was in a calm , judicial mood . `` To think , '' he said to himself , `` that for a mere matter of a hundred and fifty thousand lire , a rich old man can be young again for a day or two ! '' It was nearly one o'clock when he reached his palace in Rome . Luigi , the valet , was sitting up for him , as usual . `` This is the second time in three days , '' said Luigi , `` that you have been out all night ... . A telegram , '' he threatened , `` would bring the mistress back to Rome . ''