a quarter to three
It may be questioned whether there was not more of Irish politeness than of truth in the assertion , though he had seen them occasionally , during his visit of three years ago . How were they all to get home ? In and on the barouche , as all , except Roland , had come , to the gratification of the curious town ? Lord Carrick wished to walk ; his long legs were cramped : but Lady Augusta would not hear of it , and pulled him into the carriage , Gerald , Percy , and Frank were fighting for places on the box beside the driver , Tod intending to hang on behind , as he had done in coming , when the deep-toned college bell struck out a quarter to three , and the sound came distinctly to their ears , borne from the distance . It put a stop to the competition , so far as Gerald was concerned . He and Tod , startled half out of their senses , for they had not observed the lapse of time , set off on foot as hard as they could go . Meanwhile , Roland , putting aside the two young ones with his strong hand , chose to mount the box himself ; at which they both began to shriek and roar .