eight o'clock
`` What ! Another epistle from Curzon , '' said I , as my eye caught the address , and wondering not a little what pressing emergency had called forth the words on the cover -- `` to be forwarded with haste . '' I eagerly broke the seal and read the following : `` My Dear Harry , -- I received yours on the 11th , and immediately despatched your note and the raiment to Mr. Beamish . He was from home at the time , but at eight o'clock I was sent for from the mess to see two gentlemen on most pressing business . I hurried to my quarters , and there found the aforesaid Mr. B. accompanied by a friend , whom he introduced as Dr. De Courcy Finucane , of the North Cork Militia -- as warlike looking a gentleman , of his inches , some five feet three , as you would wish to see . The moment I appeared , both rose , and commenced a narrative , for such I judge it to be , but so energetically and so completely together , that I could only bow politely , and at last request that one , or the other , would inform me of the object of their visit . Here began the tug of war , the Doctor saying , ` Arrah , now Giles ' -- Mr. Beamish interrupting by ` Whisht , I tell ye -- now , ca n't you let me !