about twelve o'clock
And he went to Granpere on the day he fixed . ` Probably one night only , but I wo n't make any promise , ' George had said to Madame Faragon when she asked him how long he intended to stay at Granpere . As he took one of the horses belonging to the inn and drove himself , it seemed to be certain that he would not stay long . He started all alone , early in the morning , and reached Granpere about twelve o'clock . His mind was full of painful thoughts as he went , and as the little animal ran quickly down the mountain road into the valley in which Granpere lies , he almost wished that his feet were not so fleet . What was he to say when he got to Granpere , and to whom was he to say it ? When he reached the angular court along two sides of which the house was built he did not at once enter the front door .