twelve
o'clock
I drew up haughtily ; I desired him to spare his pity , to reserve his forbearance for another occasion ; that if he would wait five minutes I would satisfy him that his _ friends _ had been over-hasty in their conclusions ; and that , having so satisfied him , I hoped he would take the opportunity of stating to them that very evening , that , as far as his case was concerned , there was nothing to complain of in my conduct as a _ man of honour _ . I said all this in a calmer tone than I now repeat it to you , and I walked out of the room with a steady step . Do you guess where I went ? I went to the drawer in the office , unlocked it , counted out the money that I wanted , £ 3,500 , and said to myself while I did it , ` At twelve o'clock to-night I shall shoot myself . ' I locked the drawer again , put the key in my pocket , went back to Escourt , and handed to him the bank-notes . He bowed , offered to shake hands with me , hoped I did full justice to his good intentions , would make a point of stating at -- 's that very evening what had passed between us , and walked away . I walked away too ; but , as I was opening the door of the office to take away my hat and stick , I met Harding , who I must tell you -LRB- if you do not know it already -RRB- is a half-brother of Mrs. Tracy , and consequently _ her _ uncle , '' he said , pointing to the next room .