noon
He turned on his heel . `` It is now two o'clock in the morning , '' he said . `` My duty requires me to go down to the ball-room and bid the guests adieu as they take their departure , and when that is over I shall leave this house until this difficulty has been settled . The reading of Doctor Bryan 's will is to take place at noon . I shall be present then , and after that -- well -- well , we shall see what will take place . '' With these words Kendal quitted the room , and left Dorothy standing there with the tears falling like rain down her cheeks -- surely the most piteous object in the whole wide world . When Kendal found himself alone his intense anger against Dorothy began to cool a little .