nearly midnight
Indeed , he was so eager for satisfaction that he all but pulled me off my seat on to the road , and would have done so quite had not the horse given a start at the moment , which put me out of his reach , and nearly upset him in the dust . Things certainly did not look promising for a nice quiet drive home . With difficulty we coaxed him back into the trap , where he at once began to vent his spleen on the horse in a manner which put that animal 's temper to a grand test . He further insisted on pulling up at every wayside inn for refreshment , until it became quite evident , if we ever reached London at all , we should certainly not do so till nearly midnight . I held a hurried consultation with Hawkesbury as to what ought to be done . `` Do n't you think , '' suggested I , `` we had almost better go on by ourselves and leave him behind ? '' `` Oh no , '' said Hawkesbury ; `` that would never do .