nearly twelve o'clock
In the next moment the driver 's vigorous arm had hurled him across the pavement . The door was shut , the box mounted and the carriage whirled away , before the astonished man could rise , half stunned , from the place where he fell . A few low , bitter , impotent curses fell from his lips , and then he walked slowly away , muttering threats of vengeance . It was nearly twelve o'clock when Irene reached home . `` You are late , '' said her husband , as she came in . `` Yes , '' she replied , `` later than I intended . '' `` What 's the matter ? ''