twelve o'clock
When Gertrude retired to her bed that night , the sad scene of the day followed her . The beauty of Isabella , with her flowing curls , and the look of the child , so much resembling the man whom she so dearly loved , could not be forgotten ; and little Clotelle 's exclamation of `` Papa ! Papa '' rang in her ears during the whole night . The return of Henry at twelve o'clock did not increase her happiness . Feeling his guilt , he had absented himself from the house since his return from the ride . The night was dark , the rain , descended in torrents from the black and overhanging clouds , and the thunder , accompanied with vivid flashes of lightning , resounded fearfully , as Henry Linwood stepped from his chaise and entered Isabella 's cottage . More than a fortnight had elapsed since the accidental meeting , and Isabella was in doubt as to who the lady was that Henry was with in the carriage .