He had just come home.

And here he was, close following on the heels of the message.
'Why what bloodshot, draggled, dishevelled spectacle is this!' cried Mortimer.
'Are my feathers so very much rumpled ?' said Eugene, coolly going up to the looking-glass.

They ARE rather out of sorts.

But consider.

Such a night for plumage!' 'Such a night ?' repeated Mortimer.