I'll wait in the library, Commodore.

Tell her there's no particular hurry." His niece was expecting him.

She had anticipated his visit and was prepared for it.

From the emotion caused by his departure after the eventful birthday, she had entirely recovered, or thought she had.

The surprise and shock of his leaving and the consequent sense of loneliness and responsibility overcame her at the time, but Stephen's ridicule and Mrs.Corcoran Dunn's congratulations on riddance from the "encumbrance" shamed her and stilled the reproaches of her conscience.