eight
o'clock
So Wylder , Lake , and Jos. Larkin had each projected for himself , pretty much the same career ; and probably each saw glimmering in the horizon the golden round of a coronet . And I suppose other modest men are not always proof against similar flatteries of imagination . Jos. Larkin had also the vicar 's business and reversion to attend to . The Rev. William Wylder had a letter containing three lines from him at eight o'clock , to which he sent an answer , whereupon the solicitor despatched a special messenger , one of his clerks to Dollington , with a letter to the sheriff 's deputy , from whom he received duly a reply , which necessitated a second letter with a formal undertaking , to which came another reply ; whereupon he wrote to Burlington , Smith , and Co. , acquainting them respectfully , in diplomatic fashion , with the attitude which affairs had assumed . With this went a private and confidential , non-official , note to Smith , desiring him to answer stiffly and press for an immediate settlement , and to charge costs fairly , as Mr. William Wylder would have ample funds to liquidate them . Smith knew what _ fairly _ meant , and his entries went down accordingly . By the same post went up to the same firm a proposition -- an afterthought -- sanctioned by a second miniature correspondence with his client , now sailing before the wind , to guarantee them against loss consequent against staying the execution in the sheriff 's hands for a fortnight , which , if they agreed to , they were further requested to send a draft of the proposed undertaking by return , at foot of which , in pencil , he wrote , ` N.B. -- _ Yes _ . '