a quarter to
nine
There she lay , struggling with hysterical passion , half choked by sobs , now and then uttering a hoarse wail , at length weeping with the self-abandonment of a child . It lasted for ten minutes or more , and then followed a long silence . Her body still quivered ; she lay with her face half hidden against the hearth-rug , lips parted , but teeth set , breathing heavily . The clock upon her mantelpiece sounded the third quarter -- a quarter to nine . It drew her attention , and at length she half raised herself . Still she had the look of one who listens . She stood up , mechanically smoothed her hair , and twice walked the length of the room .