a quarter before eleven
A half hour more of time might have saved years of comfort to Eagle -- for De Chaumont was generous -- and have changed the outcome of my own life . But in scant fifteen minutes our fate was decided . De Chaumont and I had moved with our heads together , from corridor to antechamber , from antechamber to curtained salon of the lower floor . The private apartments of the Bonaparte family were thrown open , and in the mahogany furnished room , all hung with yellow satin , I noticed a Swiss clock which pointed its minute finger to a quarter before eleven . I made no hurry . My errand was not accomplished . Skenedonk would wait for me , and even dare a search if he became suspicious .