I received a message from the footman to say that a gentleman wanted to see me.

Going up into the hall, there I found the Colonel, wasted, and worn, and old, and shabby, and as wild and as wicked as ever.
"Go up to my sister," says he; "and say that I have called to wish my niece many happy returns of the day." He had made attempts by letter, more than once already, to be reconciled with my lady, for no other purpose, I am firmly persuaded, than to annoy her.

But this was the first time he had actually come to the house.

I had it on the tip of my tongue to say that my mistress had a party that night.

But the devilish look of him daunted me.