nearly nine o'clock
The one explanation that occurred to him was on the whole an unwelcome one . This was that he had made an opening to introduce the subject of Mary Carstairs , and the grateful candidate had volunteered his friendly offices -- perhaps to show Peter the house , perhaps actually to take him up and present him . In the light of a depressed corner-lamp he glanced at his watch . Having supposed that it must be nearly nine o'clock , he was surprised to find that it was only a few minutes after eight . He had the handsome street to himself . The night had grown very dark , and the faint but continuous rumble of thunder was a warning to all pedestrians to seek shelter without delay . Varney 's stride was swift .