a
quarter to five
We started at a rattling pace on our homeward drive , hedgerow and fence gliding by us like slides in a magic lantern . Archer 's horse did not belie the character he had given of him . With head erect , and expanded nostril , he threw his legs forward in a long slashing trot , whirling the light tilbury along at the rate of at least eleven miles an hour ; and fortunate it was that he did not flinch from his work , for we had between thirteen and fourteen miles to perform in an hour and ten minutes in order to reach the appointed spot by five o'clock . In our way we had to pass within a quarter of a mile of Heathfield Hall ; all seemed quiet as we did so , and I heard the old clock over the stables strike a quarter to five . `` We shall be in capital time , '' said I , drawing a long breath , as I felt relieved from an anxious dread of being too late . `` It was a near thing though , and if I had not met you as I did , we should scarcely have done it . '' `` Famous horse , '' replied Ellis ; `` but you 've rather ~ 215 ~ ~ over-driven him the last two or three miles ; if I were Archer , I should have a little blood taken from him -- nothing like venesection ; it 's safe practice in such cases as the present .