noon
`` Could ye coax a fight out of him ? '' `` That 's true , '' said I ; `` and now ride on as fast as you can . '' Brackely 's last words imparted a lightness to my heart and my step , and I strode along a very different man from what I had left the house half an hour previously . Although we had not the advantages of a southerly wind and cloudy sky , the day towards noon became strongly over-cast , and promised to afford us good scenting weather ; and as we assembled at the meet , mutual congratulations were exchanged upon the improved appearance of the day . Young Blake had provided Miss Dashwood with a quiet and well-trained horse , and his sisters were all mounted as usual upon their own animals , giving to our turnout quite a gay and lively aspect . I myself came to cover upon a hackney , having sent Badger with a groom , and longed ardently for the moment when , casting the skin of my great-coat and overalls , I should appear before the world in my well-appointed `` cords and tops . '' Captain Hammersley had not as yet made his appearance , and many conjectures were afloat as to whether `` he might have missed the road , or changed his mind , '' or `` forgot all about it , '' as Miss Dashwood hinted .