twelve o'clock
Matilde turned to the wall and answered nothing . For she could not have found anything to say . From time to time , during the day , she had news of Veronica . Elettra never left her mistress but once , shortly before twelve o'clock . She went out for a quarter of an hour , and came back bringing fresh eggs , bread , and wine , which she had bought herself . `` It is poor fare , Excellency , '' she said , as she boiled the eggs in the tea-urn , `` but it is safe . If you are strong enough this afternoon , we will go away .