five minutes to two
`` Back to the Duchess of Montford 's ! '' he ordered . The latest of the guests had ceased to arrive -- a few were already departing . It was an idle time , however , with the servants who loitered in the vestibules of Montford House , and they looked with curiosity upon this strange guest who arrived at five minutes to two , limping a little , and holding his left arm in his right hand . One footman on the threshold nearly addressed him , but the words were taken out of his mouth when he saw Lady Mary and her brother -- the Honorable Maurice Sotherst -- hasten forward to greet him . Peter Ruff smiled upon them benignly . `` You can take the paper out of my breast-coat pocket , '' he said .