ten minutes past nine
And in this resolution she persisted . Nine o'clock struck , and she never moved . Then she began to picture Walter 's face of disappointment and his unhappiness . At ten minutes past nine she tied a handkerchief round her head and went . There he was at the gate , pale and agitated . He did not give her time to scold him . `` Pray forgive me , '' he said ; `` but I saw no other way .