twelve o'clock
Now , it had been settled the night before that Mr. Markrute should shoot with the Duke and the rest of the more serious men ; but early in the morning that astute financier had sent a note to His Grace 's room , saying , if it were not putting out the guns dreadfully , he would crave to be excused as he was expecting a telegram of the gravest importance concerning the new Turkish loan , which he would be obliged to answer by a special letter , and he was uncertain at what time the wire would come . He was extremely sorry , but , he added whimsically , the Duke must remember he was only a poor , business-man ! At which His Grace had smiled , as he thought of his guest 's vast millions , in comparison to his own . Thus it was that just before twelve o'clock when the young party were ready to start for their picnic . Mr. Markrute , having written his letter and despatched it by express to London , chanced upon Lady Ethelrida in a place where he felt sure he should find her , and , expressing his surprise that they were not already gone , he begged to be allowed to come with them . He , too , was an excellent cook , he assured her , and would be really of use . And they all laughingly started .