eight o'clock before
His lordship and his son both alighted on accidentally discovering who had overtaken them ; and coming up to Mr. Aubrey 's carriage windows , exchanged surprised and cordial greetings with its occupants -- whom Lord De la Zouch imagined to have been by this time on their way to Shropshire . Mr. Delamere manifested a surprising eagerness about the welfare of little Agnes Aubrey , who happened to be lying fast asleep in Miss Aubrey 's lap ; but the evening was fast advancing , and both the travelling parties had yet before them a considerable portion of their journey . After a hasty promise on the part of each to dine with the other , before returning to town for the season -- a promise which _ Mr. Delamere _ at all events resolved should not be lost sight of -- they parted . 'T was eight o'clock before Mr. Aubrey 's eye , which had been for some time on the look-out , caught sight of Yatton woods ; and when it did , his heart yearned towards them . The moon shone brightly and cheerily , and it was pleasant to listen to the quickening clattering tramp of the horses upon the dry hard highway , as the travellers rapidly neared a spot endeared to them by every early and tender association . When they had got within half a mile of the village , they overtook the worthy vicar , who had mounted his nag , and had been out on the road to meet the expected comers , for an hour before . Mr. Aubrey roused Mrs. Aubrey from her nap , to point out Dr. Tatham , who by that time was cantering along beside the open window .