five minutes to eight
But at that moment Francis Markrute came out of his room and Tristram let her go -- panting . He could not make a scene , and she went on , with her head set haughtily , to her room . `` I see you have been quarreling again , '' her uncle said , rather irritably : and then he laughed as he went down . `` I expect she will be late , '' he continued ; `` well , if she is not in the hall at five minutes to eight , I shall go on . '' And Tristram sat down upon the deep sofa on the broad landing outside her room , and waited : the concentrated essence of all the rage and pain he had yet suffered seemed to be now in his heart . But what had it meant -- that look of superb scorn ? She had no mien of a guilty person .