Six o'clock
It was then agreed that he would no longer prowl around St. Peter 's and the Vatican , where his constant presence must have attracted attention . He even promised that he would virtually spend a week indoors , desirous as he was of reperusing certain books , certain pages of Rome 's history . Then he went on chatting for a moment , lulled by the peacefulness which reigned around him , since the lamp had illumined the / salon / with its sleepy radiance . Six o'clock had just struck , and outside all was dark . `` Was n't his Eminence indisposed to-day ? '' the young man asked . `` Yes , '' replied the Contessina .