an hour after
midnight
`` Your lordship 's wishes are commands with me , '' said Manuel , with a polite salutation . And having made a low bow to Giulia , he quitted the room -- not by the private door , be it well understood , but by that which had ere now admitted the Count of Arestino . The moment the door had closed behind the Marquis of Orsini , the count approached his wife , and said in a cold , severe manner : `` Your ladyship receives visitors at a late hour . '' He glanced as he spoke toward the dial of the clepsydra , and Giulia followed his look in the same direction ; it was half an hour after midnight . `` The marquis explained to your lordship , or partially so , the motive of his importunate visit , '' said Giulia , endeavoring to appear calm and collected . `` The marquis is an unworthy -- reckless -- unprincipled young man , '' exclaimed the count , fixing a stern , searching gaze upon Giulia 's countenance , as if with the iron of his words he would probe the depths of her soul . `` He is a confirmed gamester -- overwhelmed with debts -- and has tarnished , by his profligacy , the proud name that he bears .