There would certainly be a thunderstorm before morning, and the approach of it made Mr.Taynton feel that he really had not the energy to walk.

By and by perhaps he might be tempted to go in quest of coolness along the sea front, or perhaps later in the evening he might, as he sometimes did, take a carriage up on to the downs, and come gently home to a late supper.

He would have time for that to-day, for according to arrangement his partner was to drop in about half past nine that evening.

If he got back at nine, supposing he went at all, he would have time to have some food before receiving him.
He sat in a pleasant parquetted room looking out into the small square garden at the back of his house in Montpellier Road.

Big awnings stretched from the window over the broad gravel path outside, and in spite of the excessive heat the room was full of dim coolness.