a quarter to
ten
All was then silent again . Cornelius put his hand on his heart , to repress as it were its violent palpitation , and listened . The noise of her footstep , the rustling of her gown on the staircase , were so familiar to his ear , that she had no sooner mounted one step than he used to say to himself , -- `` Here comes Rosa . '' This evening none of those little noises broke the silence of the lobby , the clock struck nine , and a quarter ; the half-hour , then a quarter to ten , and at last its deep tone announced , not only to the inmates of the fortress , but also to all the inhabitants of Loewestein , that it was ten . This was the hour at which Rosa generally used to leave Cornelius . The hour had struck , but Rosa had not come . Thus then his foreboding had not deceived him ; Rosa , being vexed , shut herself up in her room and left him to himself .