twelve o'clock
He waited in the garden of the hotel at a spot whence he could command the door and the little street leading down to it . But for an hour no messenger came from the post-office . Then , remembering that a long sad work might be before him , he went into the hotel and breakfasted . It was twelve o'clock and the room was full . He was shown a place amongst the other newcomers at one of the long tables , and he did not notice that Sylvia Thesiger sat beside him . He heard her timid request for the salt , and passed it to her ; but he did not speak , he did not turn ; and when he pushed back his chair and left the room , he had no idea who had sat beside him , nor did he see the shadow of disappointment on her face . It was not until later in the afternoon when at last the blue envelope was brought to him .