eleven o'clock
We have only to sharpen our wits to trip your seductive rattler whenever we may choose to think proper ; and evidently , if we condescended to it , we could do better than he . The critic who has hatched a witticism is impelled to this opinion . Judging by the smiles of the ladies , they thought so , too . Shortly before eleven o'clock Dr. Middleton made a Spartan stand against the offer of another bottle of Port . The regulation couple of bottles had been consumed in equal partnership , and the Rev. Doctor and his host were free to pay a ceremonial visit to the drawing-room , where they were not expected . A piece of work of the elder ladies , a silken boudoir sofa-rug , was being examined , with high approval of the two younger . Vernon and Colonel De Craye had gone out in search of Crossjay , one to Mr. Dale 's cottage , the other to call at the head and under-gamekeeper 's .