nearly
ten o'clock
She went off gayly , pausing at the door to ask , `` You do not mind my speaking to Alex to-night , Marion ? '' What happened in the course of her search for Alex , we have already seen . The two in the shop were left undisturbed . It must have been nearly ten o'clock , which was considered late in the Terrace , when a voice was heard insisting , `` I must see Miss Marion , Susanna , just for a minute . Is she here ? '' and Charlotte burst into the room . `` Oh , Miss Marion , I had half guessed , -- I was not quite sure .