I could not see a step before me.

Why should Miss Staggles be so willing to help Herod Voltaire, and what were the designs in his mind?
What was his purpose in getting at a correct estimate of Miss Forrest's character?
I went to the house pondering these things in my mind, and, arriving there, heard the hall clock strike the quarter, from which I knew it was a quarter past six.

We were to dine at seven that day, and, as I did not usually make an elaborate toilette, I knew I had plenty of time.

I felt I could not go in for a few minutes; my brain seemed on fire.

I turned to take a walk towards the park gates, when I heard a footstep, and turning, saw Simon Slowden.
"Can you give me ten minutes before dinner, sur ?" he said.
"I dare say," I said.
He led me into the room in which we had spoken together before.