"Suppose you write a little note, and I will send it up to her room." The worldly-wisdom which prompted this suggestion contemplated a possible necessity for calling a domestic council, assembled to consider the course of action which Mrs.Linley would do well to adopt.

If the influence of her mother was among the forms of persuasion which might be tried, that wary relative maneuvered to make the lawyer speak first, and so to reserve to herself the advantage of having the last word.
Patient Mr.Sarrazin wrote the note.
He modestly asked for instructions; and he was content to receive them in one word--Yes or No.

In the event of the answer being Yes, he would ask for a few minutes' conversation with Mrs.Linley, at her earliest convenience.

That was all.
The reply was returned in a form which left Yes to be inferred: "I will receive you as soon as you have finished your breakfast.".