I drove to Paddington Station under the influence of his urbanity.

But in the train, and afterwards at home, I was teased by vague apprehensions.

Hitherto I had loosely and playfully qualified his methods of work as lunatic, without a thought as to the exact significance of the term.

Now a horrible thought harassed me.

Had I been precise without knowing it?
Novelists may have their little idiosyncrasies, and the privacy of their working hours deserves respect; but none I have ever heard of are such fearful wildfowl as to need the precautions with which Adrian surrounded himself.