“Is this Colonel Hardman?”
“I have the honor to bear that name, lady.”
“You have come to take possession of my house?”
“That is my errand. I trust it will not greatly inconvenience you. I see you have my order of yesterday in your hand, and so are not unprepared for my coming.”
“It is your order, and I am not unprepared, as you will see,” she said, handing him the paper.
He read the writing, bit his lips, grew red in the face, returned the document, bowed stiffly, and left the hall, followed by his astonished suite.
“Outwitted by a petticoat,” he muttered, with an oath, as he passed down the street.