noon
Therewith the old gentleman rolled himself in the bed-covering and appeared to fall asleep at once . But when I had extinguished the candles and likewise crept into bed , I heard him praying in a low tone to himself . Next morning we began work in earnest ; the land-steward brought his account-books , and various other people came , some to get a dispute settled , some to get arrangements made about other matters . At noon my uncle took me with him to the wing where the two old Baronesses lived , that we might pay our respects to them with all due form . Francis having announced us , we had to wait some time before a little old dame , bent with the weight of her sixty years , and attired in gay-coloured silks , who styled herself the noble ladies ' lady-in-waiting , appeared and led us into the sanctuary . There we were received with comical ceremony by the old ladies , whose curious style of dress had gone out of fashion years and years before . I especially was an object of astonishment to them when my uncle , with considerable humour , introduced me as a young lawyer who had come to assist him in his business .