about two o'clock in the morning
The law of the universe must not be belied , it must prove itself in this case , as it always had ; since those appointed to the office had shamefully omitted to use it , it became her right and her duty to execute it herself . Amid these thoughts , which did not enter her mind dimly and vaguely , but with perfect clearness and distinctness , the hours passed with magical swiftness and , ere she was aware of it , the springless waggon rolled over the uneven pavement of a street in the suburbs . The noisy rattle of the wheels , which followed their former comparatively noiseless movement , and the jolts which the vehicle received in the numerous holes of the roadway quickly roused Panna from her deep reverie and brought her to a consciousness of external things . It was about two o'clock in the morning . She asked the peasant to drive to the corner of a certain street , where the doctor whom she wanted , lived ; when she reached the desired place she got out , gave her driver another florin , and said : `` Neighbour , go into a tavern and let your horses rest . You can ride home whenever you choose ; I will ask the doctor to drive out in his own carriage and to take me with him ; we shall get there several hours earlier with his fresh horses , than with your tired nags , which could not turn back at once . '' `` You 're right there , '' replied the peasant , somewhat drowsily , bade her good-night , and drove off at a walk .