A quarter to eight
Framed in the queer , high-backed old chair which had belonged to Mr. Wilks 's grandfather , she made a picture at which Jem Hardy continued to gaze with respectful ardour . A hopeless sense of self-depreciation possessed him , but the idea that Murchison should aspire to so much goodness and beauty made him almost despair of his sex . His reverie was broken by the voice of Mr. Wilks . `` A quarter to eight ? '' said that gentleman in-credulously ; `` it ca n't be . '' `` I thought it was later than that , '' said Hardy , simply . Mr. Wilks gasped , and with a faint shake of his head at the floor abandoned the thankless task of giving hints to a young man who was too obtuse to see them ; and it was not until some time later that Mr. Hardy , sorely against his inclinations , gave his host a hearty handshake and , with a respectful bow to Miss Nugent , took his departure .