The following day he went through his work on tenterhooks.

Every time the library door opened he felt his heart sink within him, and every footstep he heard crossing the hall seemed to be the one he dreaded.
In the evening he attempted to escape the inevitable by taking refuge in his room after dinner.

But as it happened a messenger arrived from Overstone with a parcel of books, which made it necessary for him to return to the library.

And while there Mr Rimbolt as usual came in.
As soon as the business matter had been arranged Mr Rimbolt said, "Miss Atherton has been asking to see Blake's _Songs of Innocence_, Jeffreys; will you kindly take the book to her in the drawing-room?
I have one of my tenants to see here, but I shall be in shortly." There was no possible escape from this dilemma.

With a groan he got the book down from its place and went.
Scarfe, as he entered the drawing-room, was engaged in turning over a book of prints with Raby, and did not notice him.