one o'clock
The valet said that there was a servant from the Legate 's palace below , with a letter for the Marchese from the Cardinal -- that , fearing his master was not well , and might be getting a little sleep , he , the valet , had been unwilling to bring the letter up ; but that the man was waiting his Excellency 's pleasure , as he had been ordered to ask for an answer . Doubtless this was the official communication of which Paterini spoke , or the forerunner of it . The Marchese desired his man to bring him the Cardinal 's letter directly . Yes ; the pleasant duty having fallen to the lot of the Cardinal of making a communication to the Marchese , which would doubtless be highly gratifying to him , his Eminence was anxious to seize the earliest opportunity of performing so agreeable a task ; and would be happy to see the Marchese at one o'clock that day , if that hour suited his lordship 's convenience . `` Delighted to have the honour of waiting on his Eminence at the hour named . '' The Marchese put the two letters on his toilet-table , and proceeded to dress . They were large letters .