twelve o'clock
` Another man might not have come here , Mr. Wylder , until his presence had been specially invited , after the -- the -- ' when he came to define the offence it was not very easy to do so , inasmuch as it consisted in the vicar 's having unconsciously very nearly escaped from his fangs ; ` but let that pass . I have had , I grieve to say , by this morning 's post a most serious letter from London ; ' the attorney shook his head , while searching his pocket . ` I 'll read just a passage or two if you 'll permit me ; it comes from Burlington and Smith . I protest I have forgot it at home ; however , I may mention , that in consequence of the letter you authorised me to write , and guaranteed by your bond , on which they have entered judgment , they have gone to the entire expense of drawing the deeds , and investigating title , and they say that the purchaser will positively be off , unless the articles are in their office by twelve o'clock to-morrow ; and , I grieve to say , they add , that in the event of the thing falling through , they will issue execution for the amount of their costs , which , as I anticipated , a good deal exceeds four hundred pounds . I have , therefore , my dear Mr. Wylder , casting aside all unpleasant feeling , called to entreat you to end and determine any hesitation you may have felt , and to execute without one moment 's delay the articles which are prepared , and which must be in the post-office within half an hour . ' Then Mr. Jos. Larkin entered pointedly and briefly into Miss Lake 's offer , which he characterised as ` wholly nugatory , illusory , and chimerical ; ' told him he had spoken on the subject , yesterday evening , to the young lady , who now saw plainly that there really was nothing in it , and that she was not in a position to carry out that part of her proposition , which contemplated a residence in the vicar 's family . This portion of his discourse he dismissed rather slightly and mysteriously ; but he contrived to leave upon the vicar 's mind a very painful and awful sort of uncertainty respecting the young lady of whom he spoke .