four o'clock
But -- '' he lowered his voice -- `` something must be done at once . '' `` Yes , '' answered Matilde , looking behind her . `` It shall be done at once . '' He went out half an hour later , and before four o'clock Veronica despatched Elettra to Don Teodoro with three thousand francs in bank notes . But the diamonds which Matilde had left at the jeweller 's were worth far more than that , and she had got more than that for them . Veronica was well satisfied , and slept peacefully , dreaming of the pleasure she had given the old priest , and of the good which he could do with her money . And then in her dream , the scene of his first visit was acted over , and suddenly Veronica started up awake in the dark .