Acting on very suggestive instructions, it never occurred to the worthy man that the lady's second visit was not to the same flat as in the former instance.
Monica was home again long before dinner-time.

When that hour arrived her husband had not yet come; the delay, no doubt, was somehow connected with his visit to Mr.Newdick.But this went on.

At nine o'clock Monica still sat alone, hungry, yet scarce conscious of hunger owing to her miseries.

Widdowson had never behaved thus.

Another quarter of an hour and she heard the front door open.
He came to the drawing-room, where she sat waiting.
'How late you are! Are you alone ?' 'Yes, alone.' 'You haven't had dinner ?' 'No.' He seemed to be in rather a gloomy mood, but Monica noticed nothing that alarmed her.