As she turned southwards at last, crossing the road again towards her own street, it seemed to her that the day even now was beginning to cloud over. Over the roofs of Kensington a haze was beginning to make itself visible, as impalpable as a skein of smoke; yet there it was. She felt a little languid, too. Perhaps she had walked too far. She would rest a little after lunch, if dearest Maud did not mind; for dearest Maud was to lunch with her, as was usual on Sundays when the Colonel was away. As she came, slower than ever, down the broad opulent pavement of Queen's Gate, through the silence and emptiness of Sunday--for the church bells were long ago silent--she noticed coming towards her, with a sauntering step, an old gentleman in frock coat and silk hat of a slightly antique appearance, spatted and gloved, carrying his hands behind his back, as if he were waiting to be joined by some friend from one of the houses. She noticed that he looked at her through his glasses, but thought no more of it till she turned up the steps of her own house. Then she was startled by the sound of quick footsteps and a voice. "I beg your pardon, madam ..." She turned, with her key in the door, and there he stood, hat in hand. "Have I the pleasure of speaking to Lady Laura Bethell?" There was a pleasant brisk ring about his voice that inclined her rather favorably towards him. "Is there anything.... Did you want to speak to me...? Yes, I am Lady Laura Bethell." "I was told you were at church, madam, and that you were not at home to visitors on Sunday." "That is quite right.... May I ask...?" "Only a few minutes, Lady Laura, I promise you. Will you forgive my persistence?" Yes; the man was a gentleman; there was no doubt of that. "Would not tomorrow do? I am rather engaged today." He had his card-case ready, and without answering her at once, he came up the steps and handed it to her. The name meant nothing at all to her. "Will not tomorrow...?" she began again. "Tomorrow will be too late," said the old gentleman. "I beg of you, Lady Laura. It is on an extremely important matter." She still hesitated an instant; then she pushed the door open and went in. "Please come in," she said. She was so taken aback by the sudden situation that she forgot completely that the drawing-room would be upside down, and led the way straight upstairs; and it was not till she was actually within the door, with the old gentleman close on her heels, that she saw that, with the exception of three or four chairs about the fire and the table set out near the hearthrug, the room was empty of furniture. "I forgot," she said; "but will you mind coming in here.... We ... we have a meeting here this evening."