twelve
o'clock
` I do n't see how we 're to get the bullet out of him , without mischief . Poor devil , I 'm afraid he 'll do no good . ' The ladies that morning had tea in their rooms . It was near twelve o'clock when Lord Chelford saw Miss Brandon . She was in the conservatory amongst her flowers , and on seeing him stepped into the drawing-room . ` I hope , Dorcas , you are not angry with me . I 've been , I 'm afraid , very impertinent ; but I was called on to decide for you , in your absence , and they all thought poor Lake could not be moved on to Gylingden without danger . '