five minutes to nine
It seemed that the watcher was in a trance . Henry felt his heart jump , and a sensation of alarm sharpened his thought . For him the morning was suddenly transformed , and fearing an evil thing had indeed befallen the other , he turned to the terrace and entered the breakfast-room from it . The time was now five minutes to nine , and as unfailing punctuality had ever been a foible of Sir Walter , his guests usually respected it . Most of them were already assembled , and Mary May , who was just stepping into the garden , asked Henry if he had seen her husband . `` He 's always the first to get up and the last to go to bed , '' she said . Bidding her good-morning , but not answering her question , the young man hastened through the room and ascended to the corridor .