one
o'clock
Can it be one o'clock already ? In truth I had no idea it was so late ; and I have still to dress ! How can I apologize to your Excellency sufficiently for appearing before you in this dishabille ? '' `` Nay , Signora , it is in truth I who have to apologize ; it is not yet one o'clock , it is not much past twelve ! And I feel that I am guilty of an unwarrantable intrusion . But I hoped for the opportunity of having a few words of conversation before the hour named for our little business with our good Signor Ercole . Permit me to assure you , Signora , that if your servant had given me the least hint that you were not yet -- ready to see any visitor -- '' `` If only your Excellency will excuse -- the fact is , I have so rarely any visitors that the poor woman does not understand her duty in such matters .