The downfall was proportionate: in a second his pomp and importance were gone, and he stood before them timidly rubbing one hand on another.

Yet even in the ridiculous position in which the mistake placed him--in the wrong and with all his heroics wasted--he retained a sort of manliness.

'Dear me, dear me,' he said, his jaw fallen, 'I--Your most humble servant, sir! I offer a thousand apologies for the intrusion! But having business with his lordship, and receiving the message,' he continued in a tone of pathetic regret, 'it was natural I should think it was intended for me.
I can say no more than that I humbly crave pardon for intruding on you, honourable gentlemen, over your wine.' Dr.Addington bowed stiffly; he was not the man to forgive a liberty.
But Sir George had a kindly impulse.

In spite of himself, he could not refrain from liking the little man who so strangely haunted his steps.
There was a spare glass on the table.

He pushed it and the bottle towards Mr.Fishwick.
'There is no harm done,' he said kindly.