six o'clock
exclaimed Titmouse , excitedly , addressing Mr. Gammon , who also seemed greatly interested by the occurrence . They both repaired to a vacant table at the extremity of the room ; and Titmouse , with not a little trepidation , hastily breaking a large seal which bore the earl 's family arms , with their crowded quarterings and grim supporters -- better appreciated by Gammon , however , than by Titmouse -- opened the ample envelope , and , unfolding its thick gilt-edged enclosure , read as follows : -- `` The Earl of Dreddlington has the honor of waiting upon Mr. Titmouse , in whom he is very happy to have , though unexpectedly , discovered so near a kinsman . On the event which has brought this to pass , the earl congratulates himself not less than Mr. Titmouse , and hopes for the earliest opportunity of a personal introduction . `` The earl leaves town to-day and will not return till Monday next , on which day he begs the honor of Mr. Titmouse 's company to dinner , at six o'clock . He may depend upon its being strictly a family _ reunion _ ; the only person present , besides Mr. Titmouse and the earl , being the Lady Cecilia . `` Grosvenor Square , Thursday . `` TITTLEBAT TITMOUSE , ESQ. , & c. & c. '' As soon as Titmouse had read the above , still holding it in his hand , he gazed at Gammon with mute apprehension and delight .