about noon
Hornbeck , who in all probability did not choose to accommodate his wife with a squire of our hero 's appearance , sent a civil answer to his message , professing infinite mortification at his being unable to embrace the favour of this kind offer , by reason of the indisposition of his wife , who , he was afraid , would not be in a condition for some days to bear the fatigue of travelling . This rebuff , which Peregrine ascribed to the husband 's jealousy , stifled his project in embryo : he ordered his French servant to take a place for himself in the diligence , where all his luggage was stowed , except a small trunk , with some linen and other necessaries , that was fixed upon the post-chaise which they hired of the landlord ; and early next morning he and Mr. Jolter departed from Calais , attended by his valet-de-chambre and Pipes on horseback . They proceeded without any accident as far as Boulogne , where they breakfasted , and visited old Father Graham , a Scottish gentleman of the governor 's acquaintance , who had lived as a Capuchin in that place for the space of threescore years , and during that period conformed to all the austerities of the order with the most rigorous exactness , being equally remarkable for the frankness of his conversation , the humanity of his disposition , and the simplicity of his manners . From Boulogne they took their departure about noon ; and as they proposed to sleep that night at Abbeville , commanded the postilion to drive with extra ordinary speed . Perhaps it was well for his cattle that the axletree gave way and the chaise of course overturned , before they had travelled one-third part of the stage . This accident compelled them to return to the place from whence they had set out ; and as they could not procure another conveyance , they found themselves under the necessity of staying till their chaise could be refitted . Understanding that this operation would detain them a whole day , our young gentleman had recourse to his patience , and demanded to know what they could have for dinner ; the garcon or waiter , thus questioned , vanished in a moment , and immediately they were surprised with the appearance of a strange figure , which , from the extravagance of its dress and gesticulation , Peregrine mistook for a madman of the growth of France .