about noon
The desired opportunity occurred the next day . Titmouse had slept like a top all night , after smoking in his bedroom a great many cigars , and drinking several tumblers of brandy and water . Lady Cecilia , however , had passed a very uneasy , and almost a sleepless night , and did not make her appearance at the breakfast-table . Understanding that her Ladyship was in the drawing-room , and alone , about noon , Titmouse , who had bestowed during the interval more than usual pains upon his dress , gently opened the door , and observing her reclining alone on the sofa , he closed the door behind him , with a sudden beating of the heart , and approached her , bowing profoundly . Poor Lady Cecilia immediately sat up , very pale and trembling . `` Good-morning , good-morning , Lady Cicely , '' commenced Titmouse , with evident agitation , taking a chair and sitting down in it , plump opposite to her . `` You are n't well this morning , are you , Lady Cicely ? ''