two in the morning
Arriving long after the departure of the regular packet , Bervie had hired a lugger , and had sailed with the two ladies for Calais , having a fresh breeze in his favor . Percy 's first angry impulse was to follow him instantly . The next moment he remembered the insurmountable obstacle of the passports . The Consul would certainly not grant those essentially necessary documents at two in the morning ! The only alternative was to wait for the regular packet , which sailed some hours later -- between eight and nine o'clock in the forenoon . In this case , they might apply for their passports before the regular office hours , if they explained the circumstances , backed by the authority of the magistrate 's letter . Mr. Bowmore followed Percy to the nearest inn that was open , sublimely indifferent to the delays and difficulties of the journey .