midnight
I watched him back into the town , and lingered near him in a café until nearly one o'clock , when he entered his quarters at an uninviting , unfashionable hotel , the `` Falcon , '' in the Via Vittorio . From the manner he had treated her I judged him to be a relation , probably her uncle . Yet why she should meet him clandestinely was an utter mystery . In order still to keep watch upon the maid I made a fervent protest of affection , and frequently met her between the dinner-hour and midnight . Through all this time , however , Bindo never gave a sign , even in secret , that he was acquainted with Valentine or myself , and this very fact in itself aroused my suspicions that he knew our movements were being closely watched . Meanwhile , Princess Helen , who had become the most popular figure in Leghorn , and had given her patronage to several functions in the cause of charity , went out a great deal , and I accompanied her very frequently to the best houses . `` Poor Bindo is having a pretty quiet time , I fear , '' she laughed to me one day in her easy , irresponsible way .