twelve
o'clock
Martin added , indicating the sheets of manuscript . ` I am greatly obliged to you for enabling me to read the thing . ' They shook hands . Godwin had entertained a slight hope that he might be asked to stay to luncheon ; but it could not be much past twelve o'clock , and on the whole there was every reason for feeling satisfied with the results of his visit . Before long he would probably receive another invitation to dine . So with light step he went out into the hall , where Martin again shook hands with him . The sky had darkened over , and a shrilling of the wind sounded through the garden foliage -- fir , and cypress , and laurel .