If he thought more of the awakener than the awakening, it was because he was the same little Paul Kegworthy to whom the cornelian heart had brought the Vision Splendid in the scullery of the Bludston slum.

The cornelian heart still lay in his waistcoat pocket at the end of his watch chain.

He also held a real princess's letter in his hand.
A tap at the door aroused him from his day-dream.
There entered a self-effacing young woman with pencil and notebook.
"Are you ready for me, sir ?" "Not quite.

Sit down for a minute, Miss Smithers.

Or, come up to the table if you don't mind, and help me open these envelopes." Paul, you see, was a great man, who commanded the services of a shorthand typist.
To the mass of correspondence then opened and read he added that which he had brought in from Colonel and Miss Winwood.