ten o'clock
she exclaimed , clasping her hands round my arm . `` Come out into the grounds then , sweetheart , '' I answered , affecting a cheerfulness I was far from feeling ; `` and I will tell you the whole family history . '' I had to go out that evening to see a serious case in consultation with a brother practitioner . I had ordered the dogcart for ten o'clock , and Evadne came out into the hall with me from the drawing room , where I had been reading to her since dinner , when it was brought round . '' _ Must _ you go ? '' she said listlessly . `` I am afraid I must , '' I answered ; `` it is a matter of life and death .