Ten minutes past two
In the outer room a clock was ticking . Unconsciously she moved to the doorway and stood looking for a time at the white , expressionless dial . It was some time -- a minute or two -- before she deciphered the hour . Ten minutes past two ! ... Ah , the lifetime she had lived in the past seventy minutes ! And the futility of it all ! Slowly Maitland returned to the study and replaced the lamp upon his desk ; and stood briefly in silence , long fingers stroking his well-shaped chin , his face a little thin and worn-looking , a gleam of pain in his eyes .