ten o'clock
Saunders had , in the meantime , been learning all he could about the Ministry and its interior -- `` for emergencies , '' he explained to Mark . The secretary proceeded to business without delay . `` I have come on behalf of His Excellency , '' he said , `` and to express his regrets . '' `` I scarcely expected regrets , '' answered the priest ; `` for at ten o'clock I was to have a definite answer . '' `` It is impossible , Reverend Sir , to give you that . His Excellency bade me offer full assurance that a definite answer will not long be delayed ; but a somewhat unforeseen situation was found in Baltimore -- a situation that was unforeseen by you , though rather expected by His Excellency . '' `` I can not imagine , '' Father Murray spoke rather tartly , `` what that situation could be . ''