Quarter past three
At each turn through the three studios he looked at the hands of an old clock of Saxon china , which stood on a table of colored marble , with its back reflected in a tall , Venetian mirror . It was already three . The master wondered if she was not going to come . Quarter past three , -- half-past three . No , she was not coming ; it was past the time . Those women who live amid obligations and demands , without a minute to themselves ! Suddenly he heard steps and Cotoner entered .