nearly noon before
Nobody followed me on my way to Zion Place , and no stranger had called there before me a second time , when I made inquiries on entering the house . I found Alicia blushing , and Mrs. Baggs impenetrably wrapped up in dignified sulkiness . After informing me with a lofty look that she intended to go to Scotland with us , and to take my five-pound note -- partly under protest , and partly out of excessive affection for Alicia -- she retired to pack up . The time consumed in performing this process , and the further delay occasioned by paying small outstanding debts to tradespeople , and settling with the owner of the house , detained us till nearly noon before we were ready to get into the landlord 's cart . I looked behind me anxiously at starting , and often afterward on the road ; but never saw anything to excite my suspicions . In settling matters with the landlord over night , I had arranged that we should be driven to the nearest town at which a post-chaise could be obtained . My resources were just as likely to hold out against the expenses of posting , where public conveyances could not be obtained , as against the expense of waiting privately at hotels , until the right coaches might start .