eight o'clock
But resisting all temptations of this kind , he went courageously to the principal inn , from which its ancient emblem , the Garter , had long disappeared . The master , too , whom Wildrake , experienced in his knowledge of landlords and hostelries , had remembered a dashing Mine Host of Queen Bess 's school , had now sobered down to the temper of the times , shook his head when he spoke of the Parliament , wielded his spigot with the gravity of a priest conducting a sacrifice , wished England a happy issue out of all her difficulties , and greatly lauded his Excellency the Lord-General . Wildrake also remarked , that his wine was better than it was wont to be , the Puritans having an excellent gift at detecting every fallacy in that matter ; and that his measures were less and his charges larger -- circumstances which he was induced to attend to , by mine host talking a good deal about his conscience . He was told by this important personage , that the Lord-General received frankly all sorts of persons ; and that he might obtain access to him next morning , at eight o'clock , for the trouble of presenting himself at the Castle-gate , and announcing himself as the bearer of despatches to his Excellency . To the Castle the disguised cavalier repaired at the hour appointed . Admittance was freely permitted to him by the red-coated soldier , who , with austere looks , and his musket on his shoulder , mounted guard at the external gate of that noble building . Wildrake passed through the underward or court , gazing as he passed upon the beautiful Chapel , which had but lately received , in darkness and silence , the unhonoured remains of the slaughtered King of England .