eight o'clock
Mr. and Mrs. Brown had a long way to drive home that evening , including some eight miles of very indifferent chalky road over the downs , which separate the Vale of Kennet from the Vale of White Horse . Mr. Brown was an early man , and careful of his horses , who responded to his care by being always well up to much more work than they were ever put to . The drive to Barton Manor and back in a day was a rare event in their lives . Their master , taking this fact into consideration , was bent on giving them plenty of time for the return journey , and had ordered his groom to be ready to start by eight o'clock . But , that they might not disturb the rest , by their early departure , he had sent the carriage to the village inn , instead of to the Porter 's stables . At the appointed time , therefore , and when the evening 's amusements were just beginning at the manor house , Mr. Brown sought out his wife ; and , after a few words of leave-taking to their host and hostess , the two slipped quietly away ; and walked down the village . The carriage was standing before the inn all ready for them , with the hostler and Mr. Brown 's groom at the horses ' heads .