noon
He would no more think of sporting it as an every-day affair , than the chief-justice would go cook-shooting in his black cap and ermine . Come , he is bound for your quarters , and as it will not answer our plans to let him see you now , you had better hasten down-stairs , and get round by the back way into George 's Street , and you 'll be at his house before he can return . '' Following Power 's directions , I seized my foraging-cap and got clear out of the premises before the major had reached them . It was exactly noon as I sounded my loud and now well-known summons at the major 's knocker . The door was quickly opened ; but instead of dashing up-stairs , four steps at a time , as was my wont , to the drawing-room , I turned short into the dingy-looking little parlor on the right , and desired Matthew , the venerable servitor of the house , to say that I wished particularly to see Mrs. Dalrymple for a few minutes , if the hour were not inconvenient . There was something perhaps of excitement in my manner , some flurry in my look , or some trepidation in my voice , or perhaps it was the unusual hour , or the still more remarkable circumstance of my not going at once to the drawing-room , that raised some doubts in Matthew 's mind as to the object of my visit ; and instead of at once complying with my request to inform Mrs. Dalrymple that I was there , he cautiously closed the door , and taking a quick but satisfactory glance round the apartment to assure himself that we were alone , he placed his back against it and heaved a deep sigh . We were both perfectly silent : I in total amazement at what the old man could possibly mean ; he , following up the train of his own thoughts , comprehended little or nothing of my surprise , and evidently was so engrossed by his reflections that he had neither ears nor eyes for aught around him .