ten o’clock
Nobody could imagine what had happened to him . I did not venture to ask him the reason of so remarkable a change in his demeanor ; I have for some time past resigned my former place in his confidence . It was , therefore , with the utmost impatience that I awaited the return of Biondello to explain this riddle to me . It was past ten o'clock when he made his appearance . The tidings he brought did not make the prince more communicative . He returned in an ill-humor to the company , the gondola was ordered , and we returned . home .