He had not been gone two minutes before I rang the bell and ordered the carriage, to take me to Major Fitz-David's house in Vivian Place.
Walking to and fro while I was waiting--I was in such a fever of excitement that it was impossible for me to sit still--I accidentally caught sight of myself in the glass.
My own face startled me, it looked so haggard and so wild.

Could I present myself to a stranger, could I hope to produce the necessary impression in my favor, looking as I looked at that moment?
For all I knew to the contrary, my whole future might depend upon the effect which I produced on Major Fitz-David at first sight.

I rang the bell again, and sent a message to one of the chambermaids to follow me to my room.
I had no maid of my own with me: the stewardess of the yacht would have acted as my attendant if we had held to our first arrangement.

It mattered little, so long as I had a woman to help me.

The chambermaid appeared.