twelve o'clock
Any interruption , even an earthquake , at that moment must have been welcome to Vargrave . He bent his head , with a polite smile , linked his arm into his secretary 's , and withdrew to the recess of the farthest window . Not a minute elapsed before he turned away with a look of scornful exultation . `` Mr. Howard , '' said he , `` go and refresh yourself , and come to me at twelve o'clock to-night ; I shall be at home then . '' The secretary bowed , and withdrew . `` Now , sir , '' said Vargrave , to Maltravers , `` I am willing to leave you in possession of the field . Miss Cameron , it will be , I fear , impossible for me to entertain any longer the bright hopes I had once formed ; my cruel fate compels me to seek wealth in any matrimonial engagement .