about twelve o'clock
Now , there were two or three things to be done by Mr. Gibson , before he could feel quite comfortable about Molly 's going to the festival at the Towers , and each of them involved a little trouble on his part . But he was very willing to gratify his little girl ; so the next day he rode over to the Towers , ostensibly to visit some sick housemaid , but , in reality , to throw himself in my lady 's way , and get her to ratify Lord Cumnor 's invitation to Molly . He chose his time , with a little natural diplomacy ; which , indeed , he had often to exercise in his intercourse with the great family . He rode into the stable-yard about twelve o'clock , a little before luncheon-time , and yet after the worry of opening the post-bag and discussing its contents was over . After he had put up his horse , he went in by the back-way to the house ; the `` House '' on this side , the `` Towers '' at the front . He saw his patient , gave his directions to the housekeeper , and then went out , with a rare wild-flower in his hand , to find one of the ladies Tranmere in the garden , where , according to his hope and calculation , he came upon Lady Cumnor too , -- now talking to her daughter about the contents of an open letter which she held in her hand , now directing a gardener about certain bedding-out plants . `` I was calling to see Nanny , and I took the opportunity of bringing Lady Agnes the plant I was telling her about as growing on Cumnor Moss . ''