Will you tell me, Madam Gordeloup, what is your pleasure at the present moment ?" "My pleasure is to beg your pardon and to say you must forgive your poor friend.

Your fine man-servant is out, and Bessy let me in.

I told Bessy I would go up by myself, and that is all.

If I have come too late I beg pardon." "Not too late, certainly--as I am still up." "And I wanted to ask you about the pictures to-morrow?
You said, perhaps you would go to-morrow--perhaps not." Clavering had found himself to be somewhat awkwardly situated while Madam Gordeloup was thus explaining the causes of her having come unannounced into the room; as soon, therefore, as he found it practicable, he took his leave.

"Julia," he said, "as Madam Gordeloup is with you, I will now go." "But you will let me see you soon ?" "Yes, very soon; that is, as soon as I return from Clavering.