a quarter past seven
He assented , and could just discern what a handsome , commanding , imperious face it was -- quite of a piece with the proud tones of her voice . She was a new type altogether in his experience ; and her accent was not so local as Avice 's . ` Can you tell me the time , please ? ' He looked at his watch by the aid of a light , and in telling her that it was a quarter past seven observed , by the momentary gleam of his match , that her eyes looked a little red and chafed , as if with weeping . ` Mr. Pierston , will you forgive what will appear very strange to you , I dare say ? That is , may I ask you to lend me some money for a day or two ? I have been so foolish as to leave my purse on the dressing-table . '