I left the theatre at a quarter past ten.

It took fifteen minutes to drive to the cottage.

Then I entered quietly to give aunt a surprise." "Ah! It was you opening the door that Thomas heard." "Yes! At half-past ten; I had a latch-key.

Aunt Selina loved me very much and wanted me to come and see her whenever I could.

So that I could come and go at pleasure without troubling the servants, she gave me a latch-key.