ten o'clock
Stimulated by the promise of something handsome to drink , the man acquitted himself to admiration in the management of his lazy cattle . Crack went the whip , and away floundered the heavy vehicle through the deep ruts of the ill-kept road , or rather lane , -LRB- for it was little better , -RRB- which , then , led across Southampton Fields . Skirting the noble gardens of Montague House , -LRB- now , we need scarcely say , the British Museum , -RRB- the party speedily reached Great Russell Street , -- a quarter described by Strype , in his edition of old Stow 's famous _ Survey _ , `` as being graced with the best buildings in all Bloomsbury , and the best inhabited by the nobility and gentry , especially the north side , as having gardens behind the houses , and the prospect of the pleasant fields up to Hampstead and Highgate ; insomuch that this place , by physicians , is esteemed the most healthful of any in London . '' Neither of the parties outside bestowed much attention upon these stately and salubriously-situated mansions ; indeed , as it was now not far from ten o'clock , and quite dark , they could scarcely discern them . But , in spite of his general insensibility to such matters , Quilt could not help commenting upon the delicious perfume wafted from the numerous flower-beds past which they were driving . The coachman answered by a surly grunt , and , plying his whip with redoubled zeal , shaped his course down Dyot Street ; traversed that part of Holborn , which is now called Broad Street , and where two ancient alms-houses were , then , standing in the middle of that great thoroughfare , exactly opposite the opening of Compston Street ; and , diving under a wide gateway on the left , soon reached a more open space , surrounded by mean habitations , coach-houses and stables , called Kendrick Yard , at the further end of which Saint Giles 's round-house was situated . No sooner did the vehicle turn the corner of this yard , than Quilt became aware , from the tumultuous sounds that reached his ears , as well as from the flashing of various lanterns at the door of the round-house , that some disturbance was going on ; and , apprehensive of a rescue , if he drew up in the midst of the mob , he thought it prudent to come to a halt .