four in the morning
I wished I had never entered the labyrinth which was leading me , I knew not whither . It was too late to think of that now ; but the bitter was already stealing into my cup ; and vague anticipations lay , for a few minutes , heavy on my heart . It would not have taken much to make me disclose my unmanly state of mind to my lively friend Alfred Ogle , nor even to the milder ridicule of the agreeable Tom Whistlewick . There was no danger of the Dragon Volant 's closing its doors on that occasion till three or four in the morning . There were quartered there many servants of great people , whose masters would not leave the ball till the last moment , and who could not return to their corners in the Dragon Volant till their last services had been rendered . I knew , therefore , I should have ample time for my mysterious excursion without exciting curiosity by being shut out . And now we pulled up under the canopy of boughs , before the sign of the Dragon Volant , and the light that shone from its hall-door .