eight o'clock
Apart from the monotonous scratching of their hurried pens there was but an occassional short remark uttered until the welcome sound of the tea-bell broke the spell of sullenness that had fallen on both . After a short but comparatively lively intermission they returned to their papers and re-attacked them diligently . Poor Guy 's heart was beginning to thump . It would soon be eight o'clock , and it seemed to him in spite of all good arguments to the contrary that `` a promise was a promise , '' and that by staying in to-night he was breaking one almost unnecessarily . The minute hand on the electro-plated clock was fast wending its way towards the half hour after seven , and as his eyes followed its quick movement he felt a hurried palpitation accompany every second on its flight to eternity . Suddenly Mr. Rayne laid down his pen and rested his bald head in his hands . Guy looked up surprised , and as he did so , his uncle rose from his seat saying .