about three o'clock
The Earl of Byerdale , however , was peculiarly courteous and polite to his young secretary . There was much business , Earl was obliged to be very rapid in all his movements ; but the terms in which he gave his directions were gentle and placable , and some letters received in the course of the day from Ireland seemed to please him well . He hinted even in a mysterious tone to Wilton that he had something of importance to say to him , but that he had not time to say it at the moment , and he ended by asking his secretary to dine at his house on the following day , when he said the Duke of Gaveston and Lady Laura were to be present , with a large party . He went out about three o'clock : and Wilton had not long returned to his lodgings when Lord Sherbrooke joined him , and insisted on his accompanying him on horseback for a ride into the country . Wilton was at that moment hesitating as to whether he should or should not go to the rendezvous given him by his strange acquaintance , Green . He had certainly left the theatre on the preceding night determined so to do ; for the various feelings which at this time agitated his heart had changed the anxiety which he had always felt to know the circumstances of his birth and family into a burning thirst , which would have led him almost anywhere for satisfaction . A night 's thought , however -- for we can not say that he slept -- had again revived all the doubts which had before prevented him from seeking the stranger , and had once more displayed before his eyes all the many reasons which in those days existed for holding no communication with persons whose characters were not known ; or were in the least degree suspicious .