fifteen
minutes to eleven
Now the margravine insists on the prince 's reading the exact time by her watch . Everybody is doing it . Let us see . By my watch it is all but fifteen minutes to eleven , A.M. Dearest , ' she addressed the little princess ; ` would you not like to hold my hand until the gun is fired ? ' ` Dearest , ' replied the princess , whether in childish earnest or irony I could not divine , ` if I would hold a hand it would be a gentleman 's . ' All eyes were on the Prince of Eppenwelzen , as he gazed toward the covered statue . With imposing deliberation his hand rose to his hat .