Leastways, he asked if Sir Charles Bassett was there.

I said yes, but you wouldn't see no one." "Who could it be?
Why, surely you never told anybody I was to be here to-day ?" "La, no, sir! how could I ?" said Polly, with a face of brass.
Sir Charles thought this very odd, and felt a little uneasy about it.
All to Portman Square he puzzled over it; and at last he was driven to the conclusion that Miss Somerset had been weak enough to tell some person, male or female, of the coming interview, and so somebody had called there--doubtless to ask him a favor.
At five o'clock he reached Portman Square, and was about to enter, as a matter of course; but the footman stopped him.

"I beg pardon, Sir Charles," said the man, looking pale and agitated; "but I have strict orders.

My young lady is very ill." "Ill! Let me go to her this instant." "I daren't, Sir Charles, I daren't.

I know you are a gentleman; pray don't lose me my place.