But Peter, being addressed, wore his sharpest business air, and was entirely unconscious of offence.

'I have merely purveyed a surgeon,' he said, indicating a young man who stood beside him.

'I could not learn that you had provided one, sir.' 'Oh!' Sir George answered, somewhat taken aback, 'this is the gentleman.' 'Yes, sir.' Soane was in the act of saluting the stranger, when a party of two or three persons came up behind, and had much ado not to jostle them in the gateway.

It consisted of Mr.Dunborough, Lord Almeric, and two other gentlemen; one of these, an elderly man, who wore black and hair-powder, and carried a gold-topped cane, had a smug and well-pleased expression, that indicated his stake in the meeting to be purely altruistic.

The two companies exchanged salutes.
On this followed a little struggle to give precedence at the gate, but eventually all went through.