half past five
`` I want you to leave this to me , '' he said gravely . `` I do n't know whether I can settle it or not , but I 'd like to try . '' He turned to Wallace . `` Would you mind , sir , letting me go to tea with her at half past five in your place ? '' It is possible that , but for Wallace 's day-dream of himself offering Mary the shelter and the care she so obviously needed , he might have persisted in seeing her first and assuring her that he was to be regarded as an ally whatever she decided to do . Her voice as she had said , `` I know I can never marry Graham '' echoed forlornly in his mind 's ear . But a doubt faint and vague as it was , of his own disinterestedness held him back .