And at last he hired a servant for the occasion.

He was intensely ashamed of himself when he had done so, hating himself, and telling himself that he was going to the devil headlong.

And why had he done it?
Not that Lady Laura would like him the better, or that she would care whether he had a servant or not.
She probably would know nothing of his servant.

But the people about her would know, and he was foolishly anxious that the people about her should think that he was worthy of her.
Then he called on Mr.Low before he started.

"I did not like to leave London without seeing you," he said; "but I know you will have nothing pleasant to say to me." "I shall say nothing unpleasant certainly.