one minute to nine
But still she was ill at ease . Perhaps , in her heart of hearts , she was doubtful of her power to make a silk purse out of rhinoceros hide . When at last a note came from The Plough to say that he was unfortunately prevented from coming that evening , but would come next morning to take her for a walk , she was filled with so extravagant a relief that it frightened her . She sat down and wrote out a telegram to her brother , rang for old Sarah , their trusty hard-working maid , and bade her tell the Terror , who had slipped quietly upstairs to bed at one minute to nine , to send it off in the morning . She did not wish to take the chance of not waking and despatching it as early as possible . She must have advice ; and Sir Maurice Falconer was not only a shrewd man of the world , but he would also advise her with the keenest regard for her interests . She tried not to hope that he would find marriage with Captain Baster incompatible with them .