twenty minutes past three
She was then an elderly woman , and I was informed that age had actually sharpened her wits , so that if I had incensed her and given her reason to suspect the truth about my unnatural age , I believe there was no known country in which I could have concealed myself from her emissaries . `` There are many , many incidents which crowd upon my memory , '' continued my host , `` but -- '' and as he spoke he pulled out his watch . `` My conscience ! '' he exclaimed , `` it is twenty minutes past three ! I should be ashamed of myself , Mr. Randolph , for having kept you up so long . '' We both rose to our feet , and I was about to say something polite , suited to the occasion , but he gave me no chance . `` I felt I must talk to you , '' he said , speaking very rapidly .