noon before
When we have decided , do n't trust to writing . Go yourself and see Geoffrey at his hotel . '' Mother and son entered on their consultation -- and innocently sowed the seeds of a terrible harvest to come . TIME had advanced to after noon before the selection of Geoffrey 's future wife was accomplished , and before the instructions of Geoffrey 's brother were complete enough to justify the opening of the matrimonial negotiation at Nagle 's Hotel . `` Do n't leave him till you have got his promise , '' were Lady Holchester 's last words when her son started on his mission . `` If Geoffrey does n't jump at what I am going to offer him , '' was the son 's reply , `` I shall agree with my father that the case is hopeless ; and I shall end , like my father , in giving Geoffrey up . '' This was strong language for Julius to use .