twelve o'clock
`` Of course you shall , '' said he ; and overwhelmed her with expressions of gratitude , respect , and affection . This soothed her troubled mind , and she let him take her hand and pour his honeyed flatteries into her ear , as he walked her slowly up and down . She could hardly tear herself away from the soft pressure of his hand and the fascination of his tongue , and she left him , more madly in love with him than ever , and ready to face anything but dishonor for him . She was to come out at twelve o'clock , and walk into Bagley with him to betroth herself to him , as she chose to consider it , before the stipendiary magistrate , who married couples in that way . Of the two marriages she had consented to , merely as preliminaries to a real marriage , Zoe despised this the most ; for the Scotch marriage was , at all events , ancient , and respectable lovers had been driven to it again and again . She was behind her time , and Severne thought her courage had failed her , after all . But no : at half-past twelve she came out , and walked briskly toward Bagley .