In "Lord John and the Hand of Devils," the protagonist, Lord John Grey, reflects on the nature of time and its relentless progression. He believes that the concept of Hell is closely tied to the passage of time, suggesting that the pain of one's existence can be amplified by constantly being aware of the minutes and hours slipping away. This idea implies that as time moves forward, it brings a gradual approach to death, which can be a source of torment in itself.

The imposing presence of a large clock in the corridor serves as a stark reminder of this relentless ticking. Its sound drowns out other noises in the house, linking the mechanical rhythm to Lord John's own heartbeat. Through this imagery, the author encapsulates the existential dread that can accompany the awareness of mortality, making time not just a marker of life, but a harbinger of inevitable death.