He wanted to refuse, and yet he was glad to be able to tell himself that he was, after all, but an employee of his firm and not in a position to decline business on their behalf.
She leaned a little towards him; her tone was almost beseeching.
"You are not going to be unkind?
You will not refuse me ?" she pleaded.
"I will bring you a list," he answered heavily, "on the terms you suggest." "To-morrow morning ?" she begged.
"As soon as I am able," he promised.
Then he escaped.

Outside in the corridor, the man who had interrupted his interview was walking backwards and forwards.

Tavernake passed him without responding to his bland greeting.

He forgot all about the lift and descended five flights of stairs....
A few minutes later, he presented himself at the office and reported that Mrs.Wenham Gardner had decided unfavorably about Grantham House, and that she was not disposed, indeed, to take premises of anything like such a rental.

Mr.Dowling was disappointed, and inclined to think that his employee had mismanaged the affair.
"I wish that I had gone myself," he declared.