twelve o'clock
`` O , where can he be ! '' Constance ejaculated , rising to her feet , and beginning to pace the room to and fro , pausing every moment to listen to the sound of passing footsteps . Thus she continued for the space of something like half an hour , when she sunk exhausted upon a chair . It was twelve o'clock when he at length came in . As he opened the door , his young wife sprung to his side , exclaiming -- `` O , Theodore ! Theodore ! Why have you staid away so very long ? ''