nearly one o’clock
Besides , might not intelligence take the place of heart among the powerful ? If this man should some day become pope , and had understood him , might he not prove the pope who was awaited , the pope who would accept the task of reorganising the Church of the United States of Europe , and making it the spiritual sovereign of the world ? So he thanked him with emotion , bowed , and left him to his dream , standing before that widely open window whence Rome appeared to him , glittering like a jewel , even indeed as the tiara of gold and gems , in the splendour of the autumn sun . It was nearly one o'clock when Pierre and Count Prada were at last able to sit down to _ dejeuner _ in the little restaurant where they had agreed to meet . They had both been delayed by their affairs . However , the Count , having settled some worrying matters to his own advantage , was very lively , whilst the priest on his side was again hopeful , and yielded to the delightful charm of that last fine day . And so the meal proved a very pleasant one in the large , bright room , which , as usual at that season of the year , was quite deserted .