the hour of twelve
`` With true esteem , `` Yours , `` OLDBOROUGH . '' In the course of the day the commissioner found out , by something Lord Oldborough _ let fall _ , what his lordship had no intention to conceal , that he had requested Mr. Percy to come to Clermont-park the next morning ; and the commissioner promised himself that he would be in the way to see his good cousin Percy , and to satisfy his curiosity . But his manoeuvres and windings were , whenever it was necessary , counteracted and cut short by the unexpected directness and peremptory plain dealing of his patron . In the morning , towards the hour of twelve , the commissioner thought he had well begun a conversation that would draw out into length upon a topic which he knew must be interesting to his lordship , and he held in his hand private letters of great consequence from his son Cunningham ; but Lord Oldborough , taking the letters , locked them up in his desk , saying , `` To-night I will read them -- this morning I have set apart for a conversation with Mr. Percy , whom I wish to see alone . In the mean time , my interest in the borough has been left too much to the care of that attorney Sharpe , of whom I have no great opinion . Will you be so good to ride over , as you promised me that you would , to the borough , and see what is doing there ? '' The commissioner endeavoured not to look disconcerted or discomfited , rang the bell for his horses , and took his leave , as Lord Oldborough had determined that he should , before the arrival of Mr. Percy , who came exactly at twelve .