the hour of eleven
At last the restless girl stopped and exclaimed : `` If I am wrong , Heaven help me-but this agony is killing me ! If I sin , I am sinned against , and God judge between us , Villani ! '' Then hurriedly , as though fearful her resolution would falter , Teresa drew her writing-desk towards her , and wrote a note so rapidly , and with so unsteady a hand , that there was little resemblance to her usual writing , and then sought for sleep-but in vain-and at the earliest possible hour she despatched a messenger with the note . Just as the hour of eleven chimed , the door of the room where Teresa sat , was opened , and a servant , announcing Signor Da Vinci , ushered in the young stranger of the preceding night . He advanced with a puzzled , inquiring expression , and with a slightly apologetic bow , said : `` I came in accordance with a request expressed in a note from Signorina Zampieri . '' `` I presume you were somewhat surprised , signor , but my motive must be my excuse . I have a friend in whom you were greatly interested , and who wishes you to be made acquainted with the solution of the mystery which separated her from you . ''