I wish 'ee a pleasant journey to London." Lavinia again thanked him, Stephen departed and Lavinia prepared herself to exercise what patience she possessed.

And well she needed patience for it was past eight and quite dark before the coach appeared at little more than a walking pace.

Then the horses had to be changed, the coachman roundly anathematising the sinning jibber as the brute was led in disgrace to the stables; the passengers descended to refresh themselves and so nearly another hour was wasted.
At last all was ready.

Lavinia had booked an inside place and found that her only fellow passenger was a gouty old gentleman who had been taking the waters at Bath.

The outside passengers were but few, a woman and a couple of men.
Hounslow was left behind and in due time they entered the road across Smallbury Green, beyond which was Brentford.