He imagined he would need all his skill and coolness before the meeting was over.

The trouble was, he might not get much support.

The directors did not know all he knew, but they knew something, and he saw one or two hesitated.

Then Mrs.Cartwright was ill, and although she had given her husband her proxy votes, had sent Mortimer.

Mortimer was entitled to come because he had some shares, but Cartwright did not know the line he meant to take.