William Roper was hardly remarkable.

He was merely somewhat repulsive.

Holloway said that he would inquire whether his lordship would see him, and went.
As he went out of the door William Roper said, with an air of great importance: "Tell 'is lordship as it's very partic'ler." Mary Hutchings' curiosity was aroused, and she tried to discover what it was.

All she gained by doing so was an acute irritation of her curiosity.
William Roper grew mysterious to the very limits of aggravation, but he told her nothing.
Her irritation was not alleviated when he said darkly: "You'll 'ear all about these goings-on in time." She wished to hear all about them then and there.
Holloway came back presently, looking rather sulky, and said that his lordship would see William Roper.
"Though why 'e should curse me because you want to see 'im very partic'ler, I can't see," he added, with an aggrieved air.
He led the way, and for the first time in his life William Roper found himself entering the presence of the head of the House of Loudwater without any sense of trepidation.

He carried himself unusually upright with an air of conscious rectitude.
Lord Loudwater was in the smoking-room in which he had that morning dealt with his letters with Mr.Manley.It was his favourite room, his smoking-room, his reading-room, and his office.