ten minutes before twelve
It was not yet eleven , and it was early for him to leave his bed ; but he had resolved that he would get out of the house before that horrible bore should be upon him with his sermon . To do this he must be energetic . He was actually eating his breakfast at half-past eleven , and had already contrived in his mind how he would turn the wrong way as soon as he got into the street , -- towards Marylebone Road , by which route Roger would certainly not come . He left the house at ten minutes before twelve , cunningly turned away , dodging round by the first corner , -- and just as he had turned it encountered his cousin . Roger , anxious in regard to his errand , with time at his command , had come before the hour appointed and had strolled about , thinking not of Felix but of Felix 's sister . The baronet felt that he had been caught , -- caught unfairly , but by no means abandoned all hope of escape . `` I was going to your mother 's house on purpose to see you , '' said Roger .