twelve o'clock precisely
Having made these arrangements , I had my bills placarded about , announcing myself as a physician and merchant . I had no sooner opened my shop than I had crowds of customers , and though my prices were rather high , I sold more than others , because I was civil and obliging to my customers . When I had thus pleasantly spent four days in Florence , I was one evening about closing my shop , and only had to examine my stock of boxes of ointments , as was my custom , when I found in a small jar a piece of paper which I did not recollect to have put there . On opening it I discovered that it was an invitation for me to appear that night at twelve o'clock precisely on the bridge called Ponte Vecchio . I conjectured a long time who it could possibly be that invited me thither , but , not knowing a soul in Florence , I thought some one wished , perhaps , to take me secretly to some sick person , which was not uncommon , and I therefore determined to go . However , I took the precaution to buckle on the sword my father had given me . When it was near midnight I set out on my way , and soon arrived at the Ponte Vecchio .