And I was within an ace of becoming an ornament of the British peerage.

If she had the ace of trumps in her hand at whist, she wouldn't say anything, child.

Colonel Chinn, you have overlooked that small wager on the ace.

I took, as I remember now, an ace of hearts off the table and threw it into the air.

And, besides, I might very well have won, for I still had an ace left.'

I was within an ace of succeeding, yet he avoided me, and doubled back.

His thin lips tightened; the sternness of his ace increased.

I looked into his smug face, and I was within an ace of striking him.

He had been within an ace of abandoning his historical mission.

Four cards more, and still no ace; I had only eight cards left.