eight o'clock
The distance to be traversed was about a hundred and thirty miles , and as they had five horses , including those they rode , each stage would average about twenty-six miles . `` Now , gentlemen , '' de Penthiere said , `` it seems to me that it would be a pity to founder fifteen good horses in order to gain an hour on this journey . The queen has already received news of the victory , or at least she will receive it some time today , therefore the details we bring are not of particular importance . It is now eight o'clock . If we were to gallop all the way we might do it in twelve hours . The roads in many places will be bad , and we must stop for meals at least three times ; with the utmost speed we could hardly be in Paris in less than fifteen hours . Her majesty will scarce want to read long despatches at that time , and may take it that we ourselves will need a bath and a change of garments , and the services of a barber , before we could show ourselves in court .