Half after twelve
He led them for a long time from gallery to gallery , showing them notable canvases and explaining their subjects , happy to be with them . `` What time is it ? '' the Countess asked suddenly . `` Half after twelve . '' `` Oh , let us hasten to luncheon then . The Duchess must be waiting for us at Ledoyen 's , where she charged me to bring you , in case we should not meet her in the galleries . '' The restaurant , in the midst of a little island of trees and shrubs , seemed like an overflowing hive .