ten o’clock
`` Here she sobbed for some minutes , wiped her eyes , and resumed her narrative . Beginning at the period of her marriage , she detailed a number of circumstances in which poor Calvert , in all his anxiety to come _ au fond _ at matters , could never perceive bore upon the question in any way ; but as she recounted them all with great force and precision , entreating him to bear in mind certain circumstances to which she should recur by and by , his attention was kept on the stretch , and it was only when the clock struck ten that he was fully aware how his morning was passing , and what surmises his absence might originate . ``` May I interrupt you for a moment , dear madam ? Was it nine or ten o'clock which struck last ? ' ``` How should I know ? ' said she , frantically . ` What are hours and minutes to her who has passed long years of misery ? '