six
o'clock
`` However , Fanny was obstinate -- whether she suspected any thing or not I can not say -- but nothing seemed to turn her from her purpose ; and although I pleaded a thousand things in delay , yet she each day grew more impatient , and at last I saw that there was nothing for it but to submit . `` When I arrived at this last and bold resolve , I could not help feeling that to possess a horse and not be able to mount him , was only deferring the ridicule ; and as I had so often expressed the difficulty I felt in suiting myself as a cause of my delay , I could not possibly come forward with any thing very objectionable , or I should be only the more laughed at . There was then but one course to take ; a fortnight still intervened before the day which was to make me happy , and I accordingly resolved to take lessons in riding during the intervals , and by every endeavour in my power become , if possible , able to pass muster on the saddle before my bride . `` Poor old Lalouette understood but little of the urgency of the case , when I requested his leave to take my lessons each morning at six o'clock , for I dared not absent myself during the day without exciting suspicion ; and never , I will venture to assert , did knight-errant of old strive harder for the hand of his lady-love than did I during that weary fortnight , if a hippogriff had been the animal I bestrode , instead of being , as it was , an old wall-eyed grey , I could not have felt more misgivings at my temerity , or more proud of my achievement . In the first three days the unaccustomed exercise proved so severe , that when I reached the deanery I could hardly move , and crossed the floor , pretty much as a pair of compasses might be supposed to do if performing that exploit . Nothing , however , could equal the kindness of my poor dear mother-in-law in embryo , and even the dean too . Fanny , indeed , said nothing ; but I rather think she was disposed to giggle a little ; but my rheumatism , as it was called , was daily inquired after , and I was compelled to take some infernal stuff in my port wine at dinner that nearly made me sick at table . ''