six o'clock before
I am in disgrace . It is long , _ long _ after their departure before _ we _ get under way . The grooms have either misunderstood Mr. Parker 's directions , or are enjoying their mulled beer over the pot-house fire too much to be in any violent haste again to meet the raw air and the persisting deluge . It is past six o'clock before the horses arrive on the ground ; it is half-past before we are off . And meanwhile Mr. Parker has been rivaling Algy in the ardor with which he calls in the aid of the champagne to keep out the wet . At each fresh tumbler his joviality goes up a step , until at length it reaches a pitch which produces an opposite effect on me , and engenders a depressed fright . `` Barbara , '' say I , in a low voice , when at length the moment of departure draws near , and only Musgrave is within ear-shot -- `` Barbara , has it struck you ?