twelve o’clock
` I did my best ' Kate accepted his invitation , and they arranged the hour of meeting . As she approached the house to enter , flow looking ill-tempered , a woman of her acquaintance met her . After a few minutes ' conversation they walked away together . Emma sat up till twelve o'clock . The thought on which she was brooding was not one to make the time go lightly ; it was -- how much and how various evil can be wrought by a single act of treachery . And the instance in her mind was more fruitful than her knowledge allowed her to perceive . Kate appeared shortly after midnight .