twelve
o'clock
As Mrs. Headley separated for the night from Mrs. Elmsley , and approached her own door , a man in uniform came up , touched his cap respectfully , and presented a packet . `` This parcel , Mrs. Headley , I received from Mrs. Ronayne on leaving the fort this afternoon , with the direction that I should hand it to you if she did not return by midnight . Alas ! ma'am , we have every reason to fear the dear lady will never return ; twelve o'clock has just struck , and I am come to fulfil my trust . '' `` Thank you , Serjeant Nixon . As you say , I fear there is little hope of Mrs. Ronayne returning ; but this package may possibly throw some light on the cause of her absence . '' `` Oh !