twelve o'clock
But many girls have worse things to put up with than I have , and I wo n't make you think I 'm a grumbler . '' The whole of January went by before Hilliard and Eve again saw each other . The lover wrote at length that he could bear it no longer , that he was coming to Dudley , if only for the mere sight of Eve 's face ; she must meet him in the waiting-room at the railway station . She answered by return of post , `` I will come over next Sunday , and be with you at twelve o'clock , but I must leave very early , as I am afraid to be out after nightfall . '' And this engagement was kept . The dress of mourning became her well ; it heightened her always noticeable air of refinement , and would have constrained to a reverential tenderness even had not Hilliard naturally checked himself from any bolder demonstration of joy . She spoke in a low , soft voice , seldom raised her eyes , and manifested a new gentleness very touching to Hilliard , though at the same time , and he knew not how or why , it did not answer to his desire .