two in the morning
I turned the reverse , and discovered the words -- `` Eugenie Lalande -- aged twenty-seven years and seven months . '' I found Talbot at home , and proceeded at once to acquaint him with my good fortune . He professed excessive astonishment , of course , but congratulated me most cordially , and proffered every assistance in his power . In a word , we carried out our arrangement to the letter , and , at two in the morning , just ten minutes after the ceremony , I found myself in a close carriage with Madame Lalande -- with Mrs. Simpson , I should say -- and driving at a great rate out of town , in a direction Northeast by North , half-North . It had been determined for us by Talbot , that , as we were to be up all night , we should make our first stop at C -- , a village about twenty miles from the city , and there get an early breakfast and some repose , before proceeding upon our route . At four precisely , therefore , the carriage drew up at the door of the principal inn . I handed my adored wife out , and ordered breakfast forthwith .