a quarter to eight
An hour later , she again lifted the blind to look forth . No sun was shining , but rain had ceased . She began to dress . At a quarter to eight , equipped for walking , she quietly left her room and tripped down stairs . A housemaid met her in the hall ; she asked whether the front door was unlocked , and the servant went before to open for her . Following a path which led to the rear of the house , she was soon out in the park ; in some ten minutes she passed the old summer-house among the trees , and , with quickened pace , came to the door which led into the Wapham Road . Before using her key , she tapped lightly on the wood ; from without there sounded immediately an answering knock .