This morning Cecily received a letter, in which he made peremptory request for an inter view; she showed this to me.

My duty was plain.

I declared the interview impossible, and Cecily gave way on condition that I saw Mr.Elgar, told him why she herself did not appear, and forthwith wrote to you.

Our young gentleman was disconcerted when he found that his visit was to be wasted on my uninteresting self.

I sent him about his business--only that, unhappily, he has none--bidding him wait till we had heard from you.
"I fancy this will be as disagreeable to you as it is to me.