about a quarter to seven
The soft light of the lamp did not extend very far , and the screen , which was tall and dark , threw the sofa on which Nan lay into deep shadow . The rug completely covered the lower part of her dress , and as the sofa stood between the wall and the fire-place on that side of the room furthest removed from the door , any one entering might easily believe that the room was empty . Indeed , unless Nan stirred in her sleep , there was nothing at all to show that she was lying on the couch . Thus , when Sydney entered his study about a quarter to seven , with a companion whom he had found waiting for him on the door-step , it would have been impossible for him to conjecture the presence of his wife . He did not light another lamp . The first words of his visitor had startled him into forgetting that the room was dark -- perhaps , as the interview went on , he was glad of the obscurity into which his face was thrown . And the sounds of the low-toned conversation did not startle Nan from her slumber all at once .