six in the
morning
We consulted Mr. Keller ; and he entirely agreed that I was the fittest person who could be found to reconcile Mr. Hartrey to the commercial responsibilities that burdened him . After a day 's delay at Bingen , to study the condition of Mr. Engelman 's health and to write the fullest report to Frankfort , the faster I could travel afterwards , and the sooner I could reach London , the better . So hard necessity compelled me to leave the stage , before the curtain rose on the final acts of the drama . The mail-post started at six in the morning . I packed up , and took leave of everybody , overnight -- excepting Madame Fontaine , who still kept her room , and who was not well enough to see me . The dear kind-hearted Minna offered me her cheek to kiss , and made me promise to return for her marriage . She was strangely depressed at my departure .