midnight
After a hasty supper , I tossed Meg a golden guinea to pay score , as if it were a shilling , to convince her that we were of the upper crust of bohemians , not strollers from the Strand , or penny puppets from Eastcheap or Smithfield . After passing back the change , Meg sent a gay and festive porter to light us to the top cock-loft of the tavern , five stairs up , among the windows and angled gables of the tile roof . A tallow dip and coach candle lit up the room , which was large , containing two Roman couches with quilts , robes and blankets , a stout table , two oak chairs , a pewter basin , and a large stone jug filled with water . The tavern seemed to be on the banks of the Thames , for we could see through the two large windows , flitting lights as if boats and ships were moving on the water , while across the bridge old Southwark could be seen in the midnight glare as if it were a field of Jack-o ' - lanterns moving in mystic parade . William and myself soon found rest in deep slumber , and wafted away into a dreamless realm , our tired bodies lay in the enfolding arms of Morpheus until the porter knocked at our door the next morning as the clock of the tower struck the hour of nine . Our first sight of sunrise in London gave us great expectations of fame and fortune -- for surely all we had was glowing expectations . _ `` Oft expectation fails , and most oft there Where most it promises ; and oft it hits Where hope is coldest and despair most fits . ''