about five o’clock
A thin , misty rain was falling , and I now perceived , for the first time , that in my haste I had forgotten my hat ; this thought , however , gave me little uneasiness , and I took my way towards the stable , resolving , if I could , to saddle my horse and get off before any intimation of my escape reached the family . When I gained the yard , all was quiet and deserted ; the servants were doubtless enjoying themselves below stairs , and I met no one on the way . I entered the stable , threw the saddle upon `` Badger , '' and before five minutes from my descent from the window , was galloping towards O'Malley Castle at a pace that defied pursuit , had any one thought of it . It was about five o'clock on a dark , wintry morning as I led my horse through the well-known defiles of out-houses and stables which formed the long line of offices to my uncle 's house . As yet no one was stirring ; and as I wished to have my arrival a secret from the family , after providing for the wants of my gallant gray , I lifted the latch of the kitchen-door -- no other fastening being ever thought necessary , even at night -- and gently groped my way towards the stairs ; all was perfectly still , and the silence now recalled me to reflection as to what course I should pursue . It was all-important that my uncle should know nothing of my quarrel , otherwise he would inevitably make it his own , and by treating me like a boy in the matter , give the whole affair the very turn I most dreaded . Then , as to Sir Harry Boyle , he would most certainly turn the whole thing into ridicule , make a good story , perhaps a song out of it , and laugh at my notions of demanding satisfaction .