a quarter to
five
She spoke very little , always in the same low musical voice , and seemed as if she was afraid of some one listening . I fell passionately , stupidly in love , and the indefinable atmosphere of mystery that surrounded her excited my most ardent curiosity . When she was going away , which she did very soon after dinner , I asked her if I might call and see her . She hesitated for a moment , glanced round to see if any one was near us , and then said , `` Yes ; to-morrow at a quarter to five . '' I begged Madame de Rastail to tell me about her ; but all that I could learn was that she was a widow with a beautiful house in Park Lane , and as some scientific bore began a dissertation on widows , as exemplifying the survival of the matrimonially fittest , I left and went home . ` The next day I arrived at Park Lane punctual to the moment , but was told by the butler that Lady Alroy had just gone out . I went down to the club quite unhappy and very much puzzled , and after long consideration wrote her a letter , asking if I might be allowed to try my chance some other afternoon .