ten minutes past eight
It was very large , but low in the ceiling , and the walls were full of little recesses with statues in them . A thick grey carpet of velvet pile covered the floor , and the chairs were low and soft and upholstered like a lady 's boudoir . A pleasant fire burned on the hearth and there was a flavour of scent in the air , something like incense or burnt sandalwood . A French clock on the mantelpiece told me that it was ten minutes past eight . Everywhere on little tables and in cabinets was a profusion of knickknacks , and there was some beautiful embroidery framed on screens . At first sight you would have said it was a woman 's drawing-room . But it was n't .