'One might advertise that all expenses would be paid, with one year's rent of a house elsewhere.' Harvey was in excellent spirits, though time hung rather heavily on his hands.
On an appointed day the ladies paid him a visit at his rooms.

Mrs Handover, requested to prepare tea for a semi-ceremonious occasion, was at once beset with misgivings, and the first sight of the strangers plunged her into profound despondency.

She consulted her indifferent relative, Buncombe; had he any inkling of the possibility that Mr.
Rolfe was about to change his condition?
Buncombe knew nothing and cared nothing; his own domestic affairs were giving him more than usual anxiety just now.

'I didn't think he was fool enough'-- thus only he replied to Mrs.Handover's anxious questions.
Alma surveyed the book-shelves, and took down volumes with an air of interest; she looked over a portfolio of photographs, inspected mementoes of travel from Cyprus, Palestine, Bagdad.

Mrs.Frothingham noted to herself how dusty everything was.
'That woman neglects him scandalously,' she said afterwards to Alma.