noon
`` I hope it 'll all go smooth , I 'm sure , '' said Nidderdale . `` Thank you ; I 'm ever so much obliged to you , and I 'll explain it all to Carbury . '' How eager Lady Carbury was that her son should at once go in form to Marie 's father and make his proposition may be easily understood . `` My dear Felix , '' she said , standing over his bedside a little before noon , `` pray do n't put it off ; you do n't know how many slips there may be between the cup and the lip . '' `` It 's everything to get him in a good humour , '' pleaded Sir Felix . `` But the young lady will feel that she is ill-used . '' `` There 's no fear of that ; she 's all right .