He composedly wheeled his chair around, put his hands in his pockets, and looked out of window.
After an interval of silence, the drawing-room door was opened.
Mr.Troy wheeled round again briskly to the table, expecting to see Agnes.

To his surprise there appeared, in her place, a perfect stranger to him--a gentleman, in the prime of life, with a marked expression of pain and embarrassment on his handsome face.

He looked at Mr.Troy, and bowed gravely.
'I am so unfortunate as to have brought news to Miss Agnes Lockwood which has greatly distressed her,' he said.

'She has retired to her room.

I am requested to make her excuses, and to speak to you in her place.' Having introduced himself in those terms, he noticed Mrs.Ferrari, and held out his hand to her kindly.