Twelve o’clock
`` My business , madam , is with Sir Peter . '' `` But Sir Peter is not well enough to attend to business ; it upsets him -- worries him . '' `` Nevertheless , I am here by his own appointment . Twelve o'clock he mentioned ; and the hour has barely struck . '' Lady Levison bit her lip and bowed coldly ; and at that moment a servant appeared to conduct Mr. Carlyle to Sir Peter . The matter which had taken Mr. Carlyle thither was entered upon immediately -- Francis Levison , his debts , and his gracelessness . Sir Peter , an old gentleman in a velvet skullcap , particularly enlarged upon the latter .