a few minutes
before ten o'clock
` Get into a cab immediately and tell him to come and see me this evening , ' Lady Davenant said . ` Make him understand that it interests him very nearly , so that no matter what his engagements may be he must give them up . Go quickly and you 'll just find him : he 'll be sure to be at home to dress for dinner . ' She had calculated justly , for a few minutes before ten o'clock the door of her drawing-room was thrown open and Mr. Wendover was announced . ` Sit there , ' said the old lady ; ` no , not that one , nearer to me . We must talk low . My dear sir , I wo n't bite you ! '