The marshal was occupied.

He therefore simply handed in the reply to the despatch that he had carried, and immediately retired.
"Is Mr.Drummond up ?" he asked one of the attendants.
"He is still in his room, sir.

His servant is with him, and he is taking food." He went straight to the room.

Fergus was sitting up in a chair, eating a basin of strong chicken broth.
"This is a nice hour to be breakfasting, Lindsay," he said with a smile.

"I feel quite ashamed of myself, I can tell you; but I am under orders.