five minutes to one
`` Will you come on foot , then ? '' `` No , I will not ! '' she said , with a click of her teeth . I looked at my watch -- it lacked five minutes to one . `` In five minutes we are going to start , '' said I , cheerfully , and stood waiting , twisting the gilt hilt-tassels of my sabre with nervous fingers . After a silence she said , very seriously , `` Monsieur , would you dare use violence toward me ? '' `` Oh , I shall not be very violent , '' I replied , laughing .