So, with a heart hardened by indignation and prepared for the severest measures, I descended to the drawing-room landing. Two doors opened upon it--that of the drawing-room itself, which faced over a terrace roofing the kitchens and across it to a garden in the rear of the house, and that of a room overlooking the street and scarcely less spacious. This had been the deceased General's bedroom, and in indolence rather than impiety I had left it unused with all its hideous furniture--including the camp-bed which his martial habits affected. And this was the apartment I entered, curious to learn how it had been converted into a reception-room for the throng which now filled it. I recognised only the wall-paper. The furniture had been removed, the carpet taken up, the boards waxed to a high degree of slipperiness; and across the far end stretched a buffet-table presided over by a venerable person in black, with white hair, a high clear complexion, and a deportment which hit a nice mean between the military and the episcopal. I had scarcely time to tell myself that this must be Mr. Horrex, before he looked up and caught sight of me. His features underwent a sudden and astonishing change; and almost dropping a bottle of champagne in his flurry, he came swiftly round the end of the buffet towards me. I knew not how to interpret his expression: surprise was in it, and eagerness, and suppressed agitation, and an appeal for secrecy, and at the same time (if I mistook not) a deep relief. "I beg your pardon, sir," he began, in a sort of confidential whisper, very quick and low, "but I was not aware you had arrived." I gazed at him with stern inquiry. "You are Mr. Richardson, are you not?" he asked. There could be no doubt of his agitation. "I am; and I have been in this, my house, for some three-quarters of an hour." "They never told me," he groaned. "And I left particular instructions --But perhaps you have already seen the mistress?" "I have not. May I ask you to take me to her--since I have not the pleasure of her acquaintance?" "Cert'nly, sir. Oh, at once! She is in the drawing-room putting the best face on it. Twice she has sent in to know if you have arrived, and I sent word, 'No, not yet,' though it cut me to the 'eart." "She is anxious to see me?" "Desprit, sir." "She thinks to avoid exposure, then?" said I darkly, keeping a set face. "She 'opes, sir: she devoutly 'opes." He groaned and led the way. "It may, after all, be a lesson to Mr. 'Erbert," he muttered as we reached the landing. "I fancy it's going to be a lesson to several of you." "The things we've 'ad to keep dark, sir--the goings-on!" "I can well believe it." "I was in some doubts about you, sir--begging your pardon: but in spite of the dress, sir--which gives a larky appearance, if I may say it--and doubtless is so meant--you reassure me, sir: you do indeed. I feel the worst is over. We can put ourselves in your 'ands."