The truth was that this particular hazard of life in London pleased him, flattered him, made him feel important in the world, and caused him to forget his fatigue and his wrongs.
He saw that the puce dressing-gown contained a man who was at the end of his tether, and with that good nature of his which no hardships had been able to destroy, he offered to attend to the preliminary formalities.
Then he went.
_A Month's Wages_ Priam Farll had no intention of falling asleep; his desire was to consider the position which he had so rashly created for himself; but he did fall asleep--and in the hard chair! He was awakened by a tremendous clatter, as if the house was being bombarded and there were bricks falling about his ears.

When he regained all his senses this bombardment resolved itself into nothing but a loud and continued assault on the front door.

He rose, and saw a frowsy, dishevelled, puce-coloured figure in the dirty mirror over the fireplace.

And then, with stiff limbs, he directed his sleepy feet towards the door.
Dr.Cashmore was at the door, and still another man of fifty, a stern-set, blue-chinned, stoutish person in deep and perfect mourning, including black gloves.
This person gazed coldly at Priam Farll.
"Ah!" ejaculated the mourner.
And stepped in, followed by Dr.Cashmore.
In achieving the inner mat the mourner perceived a white square on the floor.

He picked it up and carefully examined it, and then handed it to Priam Farll.
"I suppose this is for you," said he.
Priam, accepting the envelope, saw that it was addressed to "Henry Leek, Esq., 91 Selwood Terrace, S.W.," in a woman's hand.
"It _is_ for you, isn't it ?" pursued the mourner in an inflexible voice.
"Yes," said Priam.
"I am Mr.Duncan Farll, a solicitor, a cousin of your late employer," the metallic voice continued, coming through a set of large, fine, white teeth.