She had been Marian's companion for four years when the concert took place at Wandsworth.
Next day they were together in the drawing-room at Westbourne Terrace: Marian writing, Elinor at the pianoforte, working at some technical studies, to which she had been incited by the shortcoming of her performance on the previous night.

She stopped on hearing a bell ring.
"What o'clock is it ?" she said, after listening a moment.

"Surely it is too early for a visit." "It is only half past two," replied Marian.

"I hope it is not anybody.

I have not half finished my correspondence." "If you please, Miss," said a maid, entering, "Mr.Douglas wants to see you, and he wont come up." "I suppose he expects you to go down and talk to him in the hall," said Elinor.
"He is in the dining-room, and wishes to see you most particular," said the maid.
"Tell him I will come down," said Marian.
"He heard me practising," said Elinor, "that is why he would not come up.