twelve o’clock
Could I preserve my assumed character of a mere friend of the family , in Margaret 's presence ? -- and on this night too , of all others ? It was far more probable that my behaviour , if I went to the party , would betray everything to everybody assembled . I determined to walk about in the neighbourhood of the house , until twelve o'clock ; and then to go into the hall , and send up my card to Mr. Mannion , with a message on it , intimating that I was waiting below to accompany him to North Villa with Margaret . I crossed the street , and looked up again at the house from the pavement opposite . Then lingered a little , listening to the music as it reached me through the windows , and imagining to myself Margaret 's occupation at that moment . After this , I turned away ; and set forth eastward on my walk , careless in which direction I traced my steps .