one o’clock
He was awake -- wide awake -- to what had been going forward . The supper passed off without any attempt at a general conversation . The old lady had gone to bed ; Isabella Wardle devoted herself exclusively to Mr. Trundle ; the spinster 's attentions were reserved for Mr. Tupman ; and Emily 's thoughts appeared to be engrossed by some distant object -- possibly they were with the absent Snodgrass . Eleven -- twelve -- one o'clock had struck , and the gentlemen had not arrived . Consternation sat on every face . Could they have been waylaid and robbed ? Should they send men and lanterns in every direction by which they could be supposed likely to have travelled home ?