Wayne was not so prompt as Mathilde in making the announcement of their engagement.

He and his mother breakfasted together rather hastily, for she was going to court that morning to testify in favor of one of her backsliding inebriates, and Wayne had not found the moment to introduce his own affairs.
That afternoon he came home earlier than usual; it was not five o'clock.
He passed Dr.Parret's flat on the first floor--Dr.Lily MacComb Parret.
She was a great friend of his, and he felt a decided temptation to go in and tell her the news first; but reflecting that no one ought to hear it before his mother, he went on up-stairs.

He lived on the fifth floor.
He opened the door of the flat and went into the sitting-room.

It was empty.

He lighted the gas, which flared up, squeaking like a bagpipe.