about five in the morning
`` He had no sooner retired , than I went into the next room , and desired my father to fix a day for the marriage ; in which case I would cheerfully wait upon him into the country ; whereas , should he deny my request , on pretence of staying for the consent of my mother 's relations , which was very uncertain , I would seize the first opportunity of marrying Lord W -- , cost what it would . He consented to the match , but would not appoint a day for the ceremony , which he proposed to defer until all parties should be agreed ; and such a favourable crisis , I feared , would never happen . `` I therefore resolved within myself to gratify my lover 's expectation , by eloping , if possible , that very night ; though the execution of this plan was extremely difficult , because my father was upon the alarm , and my own maid , who was my bedfellow , altogether in his interest . Notwithstanding these considerations , I found means to engage one of the housemaids in my behalf , who bespoke a hackney-coach , to be kept in waiting all night ; and to bed I went with my Abigail , whom , as I had not closed an eye , I waked about five in the morning , and sent to pack up some things for our intended journey . `` While she was thus employed , I got up , and huddled on my clothes , standing upon my pillow , lest my father , who lay in the chamber below , should hear me afoot , and suspect my design . Having dressed myself with great despatch and disorder , I flounced downstairs , stalking as heavily as I could tread , that he might mistake me for one of the servants ; and my confederate opening the door , I sallied out into the street , though I knew not which way to turn ; and , to my unspeakable mortification , neither coach nor chair appeared . `` Having travelled on foot a good way , in hope of finding a convenience , and being not only disappointed in that particular , but also bewildered in my peregrination , I began to be exceedingly alarmed with the apprehension of being met by some person who might know me ; because in that case , my design would undoubtedly have been discovered , from every circumstance of my appearance at that time of day ; for I had put on the very clothes which I had pulled off overnight , so that my dress was altogether odd and peculiar .