a quarter to twelve
`` As if I had been ill , or had turned into a baby again , '' Elinor said . But there was not much said . Mary Tatham was there for one thing , and for another and the most important they had said all they had to say ; the rest which remained could not be said . The wedding was to be at a quarter to twelve , in order to give Lady Mariamne time to come from town . It was not the fashion then to delay marriages to the afternoon , which no doubt would have been much more convenient for her ladyship ; but the best that could be done was done . Mr. Tatham 's carriage , which he had brought with him to grace the ceremony , was despatched to the station to meet Lady Mariamne , while he , good man , had to get to church as he could in one of the flys . And then came the important moment , when the dressing of the bride had to be begun .