nearly ten o'clock
`` I shall be better alone , '' she said . `` Has your father come in yet ? Is n't he very late ? '' It was nearly ten o'clock when Mr. Brooke came in , and , hearing that he had been asked for , made his way to his wife 's room . He bent over her tenderly , asking her how she felt ; and she put one hand up to his rough cheek , without answering . `` What has made your head ache , my darling ? '' he asked .