She was evidently surprised at his visit, and perhaps still more so at the kind and friendly way in which he began to speak to her.

In a few minutes he had worked round to his subject.

He had, he said, a friend, a young lady who was very lonely, and for whom he wanted to find an agreeable companion.

It had occurred to him that perhaps he might ask to be allowed to introduce her.

Waymark had concluded that this would probably be the best way of putting it; Harriet would perhaps be flattered by being asked to confer the favour of her acquaintance.