twenty-three minutes past one
The cabs were not so frequent and their wheels echoed more loudly along the street . The rumbling of one of these cabs suddenly ceased outside the house . A few seconds later he heard the slight grating of a key in the lock , the slamming of the door , and light footsteps in the outer room . The clock marked twenty-three minutes past one . He was suddenly full of agitation , yet hopeful . She had come ! Who could tell what she would say ?