noon
We had , in fact , reached this very absurd situation , that these two ladies were contending for the favors of , or the domination over , such an obscure , poverty-stricken , hopelessly ineligible person as the curate of Poltons undoubtedly was . The position seemed to me then , and still seems , to indicate some remarkable qualities in that young man . At last Newhaven made a move . At breakfast , on Wednesday morning , he announced that , reluctant as he should be to leave Poltons Park , he was due at his aunt 's place , in Kent , on Saturday evening , and must , therefore , make his arrangements to leave by noon on that day . The significance was apparent . Had he come down to breakfast with `` Now or Never ! '' stamped in fiery letters across his brow , it would have been more obtrusive , indeed , but not a whit plainer .