When they get up into this important apartment they find it quite empty.

There is a blazing fire in the grate, and littered on the long table is a mass of forms, letters, lists, and proofs of the catalogue waiting for the judges' decision to be entered.

After half an hour or so their hopes begin to fall, and possibly some one goes down to try and haul the secretary up into his office.

The messenger finds that much-desired man in the midst of an excited group; one has him by the arm pulling him forward, another by the coat dragging him back, a third is bawling at him at the top of a powerful voice.
By-and-by, however, the secretary comes panting up into the committee-room with a letter in his hand and a pleased expression on his features.

He announces that he has just had a note from his Grace, who, with his party, will be here early, and who hopes that all is going on well.