twelve o'clock
She thought with pride now of the dominant energy that had frightened her , and knew it would not . But her husband ? -- what kept him ? It was twelve o'clock ; he had seldom stayed out so late before . During the first half hour of her reflections she had been relieved by his absence ; she had even believed that he had met Demorest in the town , and was not alarmed by it , for she knew that the latter would avoid any further confidence , and cut short any return to it . But why had not Edward returned ? For an instant the terrible thought that something had happened , and that they might both return together , took possession of her , and she trembled .