five o'clock
He endeavoured to escape from his noble friend into the demesne , where he might have explored the fox coverts , and ascertained something of the sporting capabilities of the country ; but Lord Cashel would not leave him alone for an instant ; and he had not only to endure the earl 's tediousness , but also had to assume a demeanour which was not at all congenial to his feelings . Lord Cashel would talk Church and ultra-Protestantism to him , and descanted on the abominations of the National system , and the glories of Sunday-schools . Now , Mr Armstrong had no leaning to popery , and had nothing to say against Sunday schools ; but he had not one in his own parish , in which , by the bye , he was the father of all the Protestant children to be found there -- without the slightest slur upon his reputation be it said . Lord Cashel totally mistook his character , and Mr Armstrong did not know how to set him right ; and at five o'clock he went to dress , more tired than he ever had been after hunting all day , and then riding home twelve miles on a wet , dark night , with a lame horse . To do honour to her guest Lady Cashel asked Mr O'Joscelyn , the rector , together with his wife and daughters , to dine there on the second day ; and Mr Armstrong , though somewhat afraid of brother clergymen , was delighted to hear that they were coming . Anything was better than another _ tête-à-tête _ with the ponderous earl . There were no other neighbours near enough to Grey Abbey to be asked on so short a notice ; but the rector , his wife , and their daughters , entered the dining-room punctually at half-past six .