eight o'clock
Within , the palace presented a great variety of apartments . There were suites of vaulted rooms upon the lower floor , frescoed in the good manner of the fifteenth century ; there were other suites above , hung with ancient tapestry and furnished with old-fashioned marble tables , and mirrors in heavily gilt frames , and one entire wing had been lately fitted up in the modern style . In this part of the house Corona established herself with Sister Gabrielle , and began to lead a life of regular occupations and profound retirement , which seemed to be rather a continuation of her existence in the convent where she had been educated as a girl , than to form any part in the life of the superb Duchessa d'Astrardente , who for five years had been one of the most conspicuous persons in society . Every morning at eight o'clock the two ladies , always clad in deep black , attended the Mass which was celebrated for them in the palace chapel . Then Corona walked for an hour with her companion upon the terrace , or , if it rained , beneath the covered balconies upon the south side . The morning hours she passed in solitude , reading such books of devotion and serious matter as most suited the sad temper of her mind ; precisely at mid-day she and Sister Gabrielle breakfasted together in a sort of solemn state ; and at three o'clock the great landau , with its black horses and mourning liveries , stood under the inner gate . The two ladies appeared five minutes later , and by a gesture Corona indicated whether she would be driven up or down the valley .