noon
Can a horse be had , to go as far as the nearest post-office that sends off a daily mail ? '' `` That can it , Sir Gervaise , '' put in Sir Wycherly . `` Here is Dick mounted on as good a hunter as is to be found in England ; and I 'll answer for my young namesake 's willingness to put the animal 's mettle to the proof . Our little mail has just left Wychecombe for the next twenty-four hours , but by pushing the beast , there will be time to reach the high road in season for the great London mail , which passes the nearest market-town at noon . It is but a gallop of ten miles and back , and that I 'll answer for Mr. Wychecombe 's ability to do , and to join us at dinner by four . '' Young Wychecombe expressing his readiness to perform all this , and even more at need , the arrangement was soon made . Dick was dismounted , the lieutenant got his despatches and his instructions , took his leave , and had galloped out of sight , in the next five minutes .