Precisely at that hour he reached a small doorway in High Street, Lambeth, and ascended a flight of stairs to a room which he had furnished as he deemed most suitable.

Several rows of school-desks faced a high desk at which he stood to lecture.

The walls were washed in distemper, the boarding of the floor was uncovered, the two windows were hidden with plain shutters.

The room had formerly been used for purposes of storage by a glass and china merchant; below was the workshop of a saddler, which explained the pervading odour of leather.
A little group of men stood in conversation near the fire; on Egremont's appearance they seated themselves at the desks, each producing a note-book which he laid open before him.

Thus ranged they were seen to be eight in number.