eight in the morning
` I beg a thousand pardons , ' said the lawyer , with a bow which was not at all professionally awkward ; ` age and old fashions give privileges , and I can hardly say whether I am most sorry just now at being too well entitled to claim them at all , or happy in having such an opportunity to exercise them so agreeably . ' ` Upon my word , sir , ' said Miss Mannering , laughing , ` if you make such flattering apologies we shall begin to doubt whether we can admit you to shelter yourself under your alleged qualifications . ' ` I can assure you , Julia , ' said the Colonel , ` you are perfectly right . My friend the Counsellor is a dangerous person ; the last time I had the pleasure of seeing him he was closeted with a fair lady who had granted him a tete-a-tete at eight in the morning . ' ` Ay , but , Colonel , ' said the Counsellor , ` you should add , I was more indebted to my chocolate than my charms for so distinguished a favour from a person of such propriety of demeanour as Mrs. Rebecca . ' ` And that should remind me , Mr. Pleydell , ' said Julia , ` to offer you tea ; that is , supposing you have dined . ' ` Anything , Miss Mannering , from your hands , ' answered the gallant jurisconsult ; ` yes , I have dined ; that is to say , as people dine at a Scotch inn . '