ten minutes to five
I could have squealed with delight . I paid my reckoning , tipped about eight people I 'd never seen before , and climbed into the cab . Ten minutes later I was at the _ Quai d'Orsay _ . `` By the time I was in the wagon lit it was ten minutes to five ... `` I sank down upon the seat in silent gratitude . The comfortable glow of salvation began to steal over my limbs . I looked benevolently about me . I reflected that , after all , the last thirty hours of my life had been rich with valuable experience .