two o'clock
There were no books in the room , nor any pictures ; there was nothing that could attract the eye or amuse the mind , except the beautiful forms of some of the gilded panel-frames , and the spots of the carpet beneath his feet . The visitor began to grow weary , and to think that Lord Portland was very long in returning . At length , however , when he had been there about half an hour , a somewhat younger man entered , splendidly dressed according to the costume of the day , and advancing directly towards the stranger , he said in very good English -- `` My name is Keppel , sir , and I am directed to say that Lord Portland will really be hardly able to see you to-night , as he is anything but well ; but as it would appear that what you have to say is important , I wish to know whether it is important to the King or to the Earl himself . If to the latter , the Earl will see you at two o'clock to-morrow ; if to the King , I am directed to request that you would communicate it to me , by whom it shall be most faithfully reported , both to Lord Portland and to the King himself . '' `` Sir , '' replied the stranger , `` the motive of my coming is on no private business . It is on business of importance to the state generally -- of the very utmost importance . I had wished to communicate it to Lord Portland , because that gentleman once performed an act of great kindness and generosity towards me , and I wished to give him the means of rendering a great service to his master . ''