morning about twelve o'clock
All the way home Betty remained preoccupied and silent . It was too plain to her anxious mother that Squire Dornell 's free views had been a sort of awakening to the girl . The interval before Dornell redeemed his pledge to come and see them was unexpectedly short . He arrived one morning about twelve o'clock , driving his own pair of black-bays in the curricle-phaeton with yellow panels and red wheels , just as he had used to do , and his faithful old Tupcombe on horseback behind . A young man sat beside the Squire in the carriage , and Mrs. Dornell 's consternation could scarcely be concealed when , abruptly entering with his companion , the Squire announced him as his friend Phelipson of Elm-Cranlynch . Dornell passed on to Betty in the background and tenderly kissed her . ` Sting your mother 's conscience , my maid ! '