nine
o'clock
he faintly exclaimed , and , rising from his chair , threw himself down upon the sofa , in a state of dismay and bewilderment which no words of mine are powerful enough to describe . Quite as much anxiety had been felt on the same subject in a different quarter , during the whole of the day , at the Priory ; where were still the Aubreys , who had been joined a week before by Lord and Lady De la Zouch , and by Mr. Delamere , who had come over with them from the Continent . Mr. Runnington had written to assure Mr. Aubrey , that the first moment of his being able to procure a copy of the evidence , he would come down with it in a post-chaise and four . As , however , nine o'clock elapsed without his having made his appearance , Mr. Delamere slipped out , and without announcing his intention , ordered his groom to have his horses in readiness instantly ; and within a quarter of an hour 's time he was on his way to town , having left a hasty verbal message , acquainting Lord and Lady De la Zouch of the object of his sudden move . When he reached Mr. Runnington 's offices , he found no one there , to his infinite disappointment . Having slept in Dover Street , he reappeared at Mr. Runnington 's about ten o'clock the next morning , and found a chaise and four at the door , into which Mr. Runnington , with a large packet under his arm , was in the very act of entering , to drive down to the Priory . `` How is it -- for God 's sake ? ''