The servant informed him that her mistress had the dressmaker with her, and would be engaged for some time.
'Dressmaker at this time of day!' 'She dined early, sir, and hopes you will excuse her joining you this evening.' 'But she knew I was coming to-night ?' 'O yes, sir.' 'Go up and tell her I am come.' The servant did so; but the mistress of the house merely transmitted her former words.
Barnet said nothing more, and presently sat down to his lonely meal, which was eaten abstractedly, the domestic scene he had lately witnessed still impressing him by its contrast with the situation here.

His mind fell back into past years upon a certain pleasing and gentle being whose face would loom out of their shades at such times as these.

Barnet turned in his chair, and looked with unfocused eyes in a direction southward from where he sat, as if he saw not the room but a long way beyond.

'I wonder if she lives there still!' he said..