noon
It bore an armorial device on one side in gold and scarlet , and on the other a superscription in a handwriting which had been so trained to affectation that it was recognisable at a glance to anyone who had once seen it . ` You will excuse me , ' said Paul ; ` I may have to answer this at once . ' He stepped a little on one side and broke the envelope open with the certainty in his mind that Ralston had noticed his eagerness and saw how his fingers trembled . The thick embossed notepaper held three words only , or , rather , two words and an initial : ` Breakfast , noon . -- G. ' His face flushed with triumph , and he turned impulsively on Ralston . ` I find , ' he said , with a vivacity in strong contrast with his previous manner , ` that I ca n't come to-day , but I hope you 'll give me another chance . Supposing you and your friends are at liberty for this evening , will you bring them to dine with me ?