"
"I'll see about it. You try it first, and let us see how you like it."
And so they parted gayly.
In the hall, Polly intercepted him, all smiles. He looked at her,
smiled in his sleeve, and gave her a handsome present. "If you please,
sir," said she, "an old gentleman called for you."
"When?"
"About an hour ago. Leastways, he asked if Sir Charles Bassett was
there. I said yes, but you wouldn't see no one."
"Who could it be? Why, surely you never told anybody I was to be here
to-day?"
"La, no, sir! how could I?" said Polly, with a face of brass.
Sir Charles thought this very odd, and felt a little uneasy about it.
All to Portman Square he puzzled over it; and at last he was driven to
the conclusion that Miss Somerset had been weak enough to tell some
person, male or female, of the coming interview, and so somebody had
called there--doubtless to ask him a favor.
At five o'clock he reached Portman Square, and was about to enter, as a
matter of course; but the footman stopped him. "I beg pardon, Sir
Charles," said the man, looking pale and agitated; "but I have strict
orders. My young lady is very ill."
"Ill! Let me go to her this instant."
"I daren't, Sir Charles, I daren't. I know you are a gentleman; pray
don't lose me my place.
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