"He has asked you and me because his party would not be complete without us." "And who are 'the party' ?" "Oh, very small.

Principally his sister, I believe.

Hold on though, Miss Skeat is going." "Miss Skeat ?" Claudius anticipated some chaff from his friend, and knit his brows a little.
"Yes; Miss Skeat and the Countess; or, perhaps I should say the Countess and Miss Skeat." "Ah!" ejaculated Claudius, "any one else ?" "Not that I know of.

Will you go ?" "It is rather sudden," said the Doctor reflectively.
"You must make up your mind one way or the other, or you will spoil the Duke's arrangements." "Barker," said Claudius seriously, "do you suppose the Countess knows who are going ?" "My dear boy," replied the other, peeling a peach which he had impaled on a fork, "it is not likely the Duke would ask a lady to go with him without telling her who the men were to be.

Be calm, however; I have observed your habits, and in two hours and twenty-three minutes your mind will be at rest." "How so ?" "It is now thirty-seven minutes past nine.