It was a quiet, sombre, clerical house, beseeming such a man as the warden, and thus he afterwards frequented it.

Had he dared, he would on this occasion have gone elsewhere to throw the archdeacon further off the scent; but he did not know what violent steps his son-in-law might take for his recovery if he were not found at his usual haunt, and he deemed it not prudent to make himself the object of a hunt through London.
Arrived at his inn, he ordered dinner, and went forth to the attorney-general's chambers.

There he learnt that Sir Abraham was in Court, and would not probably return that day.

He would go direct from Court to the House; all appointments were, as a rule, made at the chambers; the clerk could by no means promise an interview for the next day; was able, on the other hand, to say that such interview was, he thought, impossible; but that Sir Abraham would certainly be at the House in the course of the night, where an answer from himself might possibly be elicited.
To the House Mr Harding went, and left his note, not finding Sir Abraham there.

He added a most piteous entreaty that he might be favoured with an answer that evening, for which he would return.