"It was your brother's dream to restore the title with a male line of descent." "His dream will be fruitless so far as I am concerned," said Charles Turold, who had been listening intently to this conversation.

"I shall have nothing to do with this title." He got up, and strode abruptly from the room without another word.
Mr.Brimsdown was a little surprised at the lack of manners evinced by this precipitate departure, but arose without speaking to take his own leave.

Austin did not offer to escort him downstairs.

He rang the bell, which was answered by the gaunt maid who had been engaged to sit as Britannia or the Madonna, and to her he consigned his departing visitor after a soft pressure of his white hand.
The maid preceded the lawyer down the staircase with a martial step which outstripped his, and waited at the foot for him to complete the descent.
As Mr.Brimsdown reached the last stair, a door immediately opposite opened, and a lady came out.

Mr.Brimsdown glanced at her casually in passing, and encountered her glance in return.