a quarter
past one
`` Certainly , uncle , if you like ; but would n't Morris do instead -- as representing me , I mean ? '' `` Yes , '' he answered ; `` when you are married he will do perfectly well , but until that happy event I am afraid that I must take your personal opinion . '' `` Oh ! very well , '' said Mary with a sigh ; `` I will expect you at a quarter past one . '' Accordingly , at a quarter past one on the following day the Colonel arrived at Seaview , went in to lunch with Mary , and made himself very amusing and agreeable about the domestic complications of his old friend , Lady Rawlins and her objectionable husband , and other kindred topics . Then , adroitly enough , he changed the conversation to the subject of the great gale , and when he talked of it awhile , said suddenly : `` I suppose that you have heard of the dreadful thing that happened here ? '' `` What dreadful thing ? ''