two hours from noon
`` How charming of you ! '' vaguely murmured the lady , sinking lightly upon a settee . `` What an early riser you must be , Duke . '' Although it was then but two hours from noon , the visitor confessed himself open to criticism in this regard . `` And you , as well , Madam , '' he added , `` must plead guilty of the same fault . One can easily see you have been out in the garden , and , '' he blundered on , `` stolen the tints from the roses . '' Sharply the countess looked at him , but read only an honest attempt at a compliment .