nearly eight o'clock
She made the effort : `` Yes , perfectly . I fear -- '' Her eyes rested on his marred and haggard face ; she said no more because she could not . He made , leisurely , all proper and formal inquiries concerning the Craigs and those he had met there , mentioned pleasantly his changed fortunes ; spoke of impending and passing events , of the war , of the movement of troops , of the chances for a battle , which the papers declared was imminent . Old Jonas shuffled in with the Madeira and a decanter of brandy , it being now nearly eight o'clock . Later , while Berkley was still carelessly bearing the burden of conversation , the clock struck nine times ; and in another incredibly brief interval , it struck ten . He started to rise , and encountered her swiftly lifted eyes . And a flush grew and deepened on his face , and he resumed his place in silence .