twelve o’clock
He led her up to her own room , tried to soothe her , and would not listen to a word till she should be calm . After lying still for a little while , she thought she had recovered , but the very word ` Gilbert ' brought such an expression of anxiety and sternness over his brow as overcame her again , and she could not speak without so much emotion that he silenced her ; and finding that she could neither leave the subject , nor mention it without violent agitation , he said he would leave her for a little while , and perhaps she might sleep , and then be better able to speak to him . Still she held him , and begged that he would say nothing to Gilbert till he had heard her , and to pacify her he yielded , passed his promise , and quitted her with a kiss . There was a messenger at Fairmead Parsonage by sunrise the next morning , and by twelve o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Ferrars were at Willow Lawn . Mr. Kendal 's grave brow and depressed manner did not reassure Winifred as he met her in the hall , although his words were , ` I hope she is doing well . ' He said no more , for the drawing-room door was moving to and fro , as if uneasy on the hinges , and as he made a step towards it , it disclosed a lady with black eyes and pinched features , whom he presented as ` Miss Meadows . ' ` Well , now -- I think -- since more efficient -- since I leave Mrs. Kendal to better -- only pray tell her -- my love and my mother 's -- if I could have been of any use -- or shall I remain ?