seven o'clock
The Honourable John Haddon had the temerity to propose that she should go through a form of marriage with him in the old church we had just left . If she did that , he said , it would console him for the mad love he felt for her . The ceremony would have no binding force upon her whatever , and she might bring whom she pleased to perform it . If she knew no one that she could trust , he would invite an old college chum , and bring him to the church next morning at half-past seven o'clock . Even if an ordained clergyman performed the ceremony , it would not be legal unless it took place between the hours of eight in the morning , and three in the afternoon . If she consented to this , the emeralds were hers once more . ` This is the proposal of a madman , ' said I , as I handed back the letter .