noon
`` It is Thornton , '' said Glanville , calmly . `` I told them not to admit him , and he is forcing his way . '' Scarcely had Sir Reginald said this , before Thornton burst abruptly into the room . Although it was scarcely noon , he was more than half intoxicated , and his eyes swam in his head with a maudlin expression of triumph and insolence , as he rolled towards us . `` Oh , oh ! Sir Reginald , '' he said , `` thought of giving me the slip , eh ? Your d -- d servants said you were out ; but I soon silenced them .