ten o'clock
I wish to speak of an affair of the highest importance . '' The young girl regarded him for a moment with an air of astonishment , further expressed by a disdainful movement of the lip ; although , considering their former relations , and also the free familiarity of Mexican manners , she might have been expected to have excused his freedom . Tiburcio stood waiting her reply in a supplicating attitude , and as everything seemed spontaneous with her , he had not long to wait . She answered in a few words : `` To-night then -- at ten o'clock I shall be at my window . '' Scarcely had the thrilling tones of her voice ceased to vibrate on the ear of Tiburcio , when supper was announced , and the guests were shown into another room . Here a table , splendidly set out , occupied the middle of the apartment , above which hung a great chandelier fitted with numerous waxen candles : these gave out a brilliant and cheerful light , that was reflected from hundreds of shining vessels of massive silver of antique forms , arranged upon the table below . The upper end of the table was occupied by the host himself and his principal guests .