twelve o’clock
`` So you see , O'Malley , I have already pledged myself for you . And now I must say adieu ; the regiments are about to take up a more advanced position , so good-by . I hope you 'll have a pleasant time of it till we meet again . '' `` It is now twelve o'clock , Mr. O'Malley , '' said Beaumont ; `` we may rely upon your immediate departure . Your written instructions and despatches will be here within a quarter of an hour . '' I muttered something , -- what , I can not remember ; I bowed my thanks to my worthy colonel , shook his hand warmly , and saw him ride down the hill and disappear in the crowd of soldiery beneath , before I could recall my faculties and think over my situation . Then all at once did the full difficulty of my position break upon me .