William, however, was even more agitated than she was, and her first instalment of promised help took the form of some commonplace upon the age of the building or the architect's name, which gave him an excuse to fumble in a drawer for certain designs, which he laid upon the table between the three of them.
Which of the three followed the designs most carefully it would be difficult to tell, but it is certain that not one of the three found for the moment anything to say.

Years of training in a drawing-room came at length to Katharine's help, and she said something suitable, at the same moment withdrawing her hand from the table because she perceived that it trembled.

William agreed effusively; Denham corroborated him, speaking in rather high-pitched tones; they thrust aside the plans, and drew nearer to the fireplace.
"I'd rather live here than anywhere in the whole of London," said Denham.
("And I've got nowhere to live") Katharine thought, as she agreed aloud.
"You could get rooms here, no doubt, if you wanted to," Rodney replied.
"But I'm just leaving London for good--I've taken that cottage I was telling you about." The announcement seemed to convey very little to either of his hearers.
"Indeed ?--that's sad....

You must give me your address.

But you won't cut yourself off altogether, surely--" "You'll be moving, too, I suppose," Denham remarked.
William showed such visible signs of floundering that Katharine collected herself and asked: "Where is the cottage you've taken ?" In answering her, Denham turned and looked at her.