quarter
before six
The dank damp drip of autumn had no place in this warm luxury . The curtains were closely drawn ; and that which is not seen , can be forgotten . The doctor glanced at the clock . The minute-hand pointed to the quarter before six . He lifted his eyes to the picture . `` I hardly know Lord Ingleby sufficiently well to give an opinion ; but I should say it is an excellent likeness , possessing , to a large degree , the peculiar quality of all Dalmain 's portraits : -- the more you look at them , the more you see in them . They are such extraordinary character studies .