two o’clock
`` I fear it will be impossible , '' replied I ; `` besides I have a notion he may not desire it . '' `` I have been commissioned to hand you this , '' said the tall doctor , with a half sigh , as he put a check into my hand . I bowed slightly , and stuffed the crumpled paper with a half careless air into my waistcoat pocket , and wishing them both every species of happiness and success , shook hands four times with each , and drove off ; never believing myself safe ` till I saw the gate-lodge behind me , and felt myself flying on the road to Kilkenny at about twelve miles Irish an hour . It was past two o'clock when I reached the town . On entering the barrack-yard , I perceived a large group of officers chatting together , and every moment breaking into immoderate fits of laughter . I went over , and immediately learned the source of their mirth , which was this : No sooner had it been known that Fitzgerald was about to go to a distance , on a professional call , than a couple of young officers laid their heads together , and wrote an anonymous note to Mrs. Fitz . who was the very dragon of jealousy , informing her , that her husband had feigned the whole history of the patient and consultation as an excuse for absenting himself on an excursion of gallantry ; and that if she wished to satisfy herself of the truth of the statement , she had only to follow him in the morning , and detect his entire scheme ; the object of these amiable friends being to give poor Mrs. Fitz .