five o'clock
It is not far ! '' The tenderness which had grown up in Jude 's bosom left him no will to thwart her inclination now -- which pleased him in affording him excuse for a longer time with her . They started off down the hill almost at a trot ; but on gaining level ground at the bottom , and walking a mile , they found that the spot of the fire was much further off than it had seemed . Having begun their journey , however , they pushed on ; but it was not till five o'clock that they found themselves on the scene , -- the distance being altogether about half-a-dozen miles from Marygreen , and three from Arabella 's . The conflagration had been got under by the time they reached it , and after a short inspection of the melancholy ruins they retraced their steps -- their course lying through the town of Alfredston . Arabella said she would like some tea , and they entered an inn of an inferior class , and gave their order . As it was not for beer they had a long time to wait .