Come to me this evening about the Ave Maria--or a little earlier.

Yes, come at twenty-three hours.

In October that is about five o'clock, by French time.
"And I may take the guitar ?" said Nino, as he rose to go.
"With all my heart.

But do not spoil everything by singing to her, and betraying yourself." So Nino thanked the maestro enthusiastically and went away, humming a tune, as he now and again struck the strings of the guitar that he carried under his arm, to be sure it was there.
Do not think that because De Pretis suddenly changed his mind, and even proposed to Nino a plan for making the acquaintance of the young countess, he is a man to veer about like a weather-cock, nor yet a bad man, willing to help a boy to do mischief.

That is not at all like Ercole de Pretis.