twelve
o'clock
He sat down opposite John Bulmer . `` Oh , about Gaston , '' said the Marquis , as he added the sugar -- `` it is deplorable that you will not see Gaston again , at least , not in this naughty world of ours . '' `` I am the more grieved , '' said John Bulmer , gravely , `` for I love the man . '' `` It is necessary , you conceive , that I hang you , at latest , before twelve o'clock to-morrow , since Gaston is a little too fond of you to fall in with my plans . His premature arrival would in effect admit the bull of equity into the china-shop of my intentions . And day-dreams are fragile stuff , Monsieur d'Ormskirk ! Indeed , I am giving you this so brief reprieve only because I am , unwilling to have upon my conscience the reproach of hanging without due preparation a man whom of all politicians in the universe I most unfeignedly like and respect .