noon
It was but a short period that had achieved these alterations , nor was the party himself as yet entirely accustomed to them , but the change was becoming less embarrassing to him with every day 's practice . Among other acquisitions of wealth , you may see one of Davy Ramsay 's best timepieces on the table , and his eye is frequently observing its revolutions , while a boy , whom he employs as a scribe , is occasionally sent out to compare its progress with the clock of Saint Dunstan . The scrivener himself seemed considerably agitated . He took from a strong-box a bundle of parchments , and read passages of them with great attention ; then began to soliloquize -- `` There is no outlet which law can suggest -- no back-door of evasion -- none -- if the lands of Glenvarloch are not redeemed before it rings noon , Lord Dalgarno has them a cheap pennyworth . Strange , that he should have been at last able to set his patron at defiance , and achieve for himself the fair estate , with the prospect of which he so long flattered the powerful Buckingham . -- Might not Andrew Skurliewhitter nick him as neatly ? He hath been my patron -- true -- not more than Buckingham was his ; and he can be so no more , for he departs presently for Scotland .