about twelve o'clock
In conclusion , he told me that I might command his purse , and that he had power enough to bring me into the world again with eclat . To these advances I replied , that he was very much mistaken in his opinion of my character , if he imagined I was to be won by any temptations of fortune ; and very frankly declared , that I would rather give myself to a footman , than sell myself to a prince . `` Supper being served , we sat down together ; but I would neither eat nor drink anything , except a little bread and water ; for I was an odd whimsical girl , and it came into my head , that he might perhaps have mixed something in the victuals or wine , which would alter my way of thinking . In short , finding himself baffled in all his endeavours , he permitted me about twelve o'clock to depart in peace , and gave up his suit as a desperate cause . `` This uncomfortable life did I lead for a whole twelvemonth , without feeling the least abatement of my melancholy . Finding myself worn to a skeleton , I resumed my former resolution of trying to profit by change of place , and actually went abroad , with no other attendant than my woman , and the utmost indifference for life . My intention was to have gone to the south of France , where I thought I could have subsisted on the little I had left , which amounted to five hundred pounds , until the issue of my law-suit , by which I hoped to obtain some provision from my lord ; and , without all doubt , my expectation would have been answered , had I put this my plan in execution ; but , being at Paris , from whence I proposed to set forward in a few days , I sent to M. K -- , who had been formerly intimate with my father , and shown me many civilities during my first residence in France .