twelve o'clock
He had not objected to receiving a visit from Norah , on the implied understanding that she was to come down to him as his affianced bride . He had not agreed to this in words ; but silence gives consent , and Mrs. Davis felt that should it ever hereafter become necessary to prove anything , what had passed would enable her to prove a good deal . Charley puffed at his cigar and sipped his gin and water . It was now twelve o'clock , and he thoroughly wished himself at home and in bed . The longer he thought of it the more impossible it appeared that he should get out of the house without the scene which he dreaded . The girl had bolted the door , put away her cups and mugs , and her step upstairs had struck heavily on his ears . The house was not large or high , and he fancied that he heard mutterings on the landing-place .