twelve o'clock midday
As he was leaving the room , he was joined , near the door , by his man Bernard . The two stopped and talked , in a low voice ; but Yvonne heard these words spoken by the servant : `` I have had an answer from the working jeweller . He says he holds himself at my disposal . '' And the count replied : `` The thing is put off until twelve o'clock midday , to-morrow . My mother has just telephoned to say that she could not come before . '' Then Yvonne heard the key turn in the lock and the sound of steps going down to the ground-floor , where her husband 's study was . She long lay inert , her brain reeling with vague , swift ideas that burnt her in passing , like flames .