"I only returned from my provincial tour a day or two ago, and have had no time to waste dancing attendance upon her.

She's well enough, I've no doubt; and she's uncommonly well off in Sheldon's house, and ought to think herself so." Having skimmed his newspaper, Captain Paget rose and invested himself in his overcoat.

He put on his hat before the glass over the mantelpiece, adjusting the brim above his brows with the thoughtful care that distinguished his performance of all those small duties which he owed to himself.
"And what may _you_ be going to do with yourself to-day, Val ?" he asked of the young man, who sat nursing his own knee and staring absently at the fire.
"Well, I don't quite know," Mr.Hawkehurst answered, hypocritically; "I think I may go as far as Gray's Inn, and look in upon George Sheldon." "You'll dine out of doors, I suppose ?" This was a polite way of telling Mr.Hawkehurst that there would be no dinner for him at home.
"I suppose I shall.

You know I'm not punctilious on the subject of dinner.

Anything you please--from a banquet at the London Tavern to a ham-sandwich and a glass of ale at fourpence." "Ah, to be sure; youth is reckless of its gastric juices.