morning about ten o'clock
He had commenced a sedulous attendance at the chambers of Mr. Mansfield , within a few days after the delicate kindness of Mr. Runnington had afforded him the means of doing so . He already knew sufficient to give him an interest in the intricate system of the law of real property ; and the immediate practical operation of its principles , which he witnessed in his new scene of study , served to enhance his estimate of its importance and value . In addition , however , to his absorbing professional labors , he continued his occasional contributions to substantial literature ; but Mr. Runnington 's generosity had enabled him to dispense with that severe and incessant exertion to which he had been till then accustomed , and to address himself to his difficult yet delightful studies , with undivided energy . Some short time after he had commenced his attendance at Mr. Mansfield 's chambers , Mr. Aubrey was , one morning about ten o'clock , on his way down to Lincoln 's Inn , and when about to cross Piccadilly , paused to let pass him a dusty post-chaise and four , dashing up St. James 's Street ; and as it went close and rapidly by him , he quite started with astonishment ; for , unless his eyes had extraordinarily deceived him , he had seen in that chaise no other a person than Lord De la Zouch : who , however , if it _ were _ he , had not appeared to see Mr. Aubrey , and probably had really not observed him . `` Why , how can this be ? '' thought Aubrey , standing and gazing for a moment in astonishment after the dust-covered vehicle . `` The letter which Agnes received the other day from Lady De la Zouch , did not say a word about Lord De la Zouch 's intention to return to England !