twelve
o'clock
Now none of her own party had thought it wise to tell Julia there was any hitch : but Miss Hardie blurted out naturally enough , `` But where 's Alfred ? '' `` I do n't know , dear , '' said Julia innocently . `` Are not he and Edward in another part of the church ? I thought we were waiting till twelve o'clock , perhaps . Mamma dear , you know everything ; I suppose this is all right ? '' Then , looking round at her friends ' faces , she saw in a moment that it was all wrong . Sampson 's , in particular , was burning with manly indignation , and even her mother 's discomposed , and trying to smile .