twelve o'clock
Ve are alvays lucky , Bonker ! '' he cried , and with gleeful energy brandished his dumb-bells in final preparation for his muscular exploits . `` We certainly have escaped hanging so far , '' said the Count , as he drew on the trews which became his well-turned leg so happily . His arrangements were admirable and complete , and by twelve o'clock the castle lawn looked as barbarically gay as the colored supplement to an illustrated paper . Pipes were skirling , skirts fluttering , flags flapping ; and as invitations had been issued to various magnates in the district , whether acquainted with the present peer or not , there were to be seen quite a number of dignified personages in divers shades of tartan , and parasols of all the hues in the rainbow . The Baron was in his element . He judged the bagpipe competition himself , and held one end of the tape that measured the jumps , besides delighting the whole assembled company by his affability and good spirits .