"Yes, Sir, the last thing," replied Margaret, "he asked when the house would be shut up, but Mrs. Singleton desired him to name his own time, and he appointed eleven."
"It is just ten now," said Mr. Singleton, looking at his watch.
Mr. Gage looked at his watch too, which did not seem at all necessary, and then altered the lamp again.
"Who sits up with Harriet to-night?" asked Mr. Singleton.
"Her maid, Sir; Mrs. Singleton would not hear of my sitting up."
"Perfectly right," said Mr. Gage, "if I were Mrs. Singleton, I should be inclined to forbid you the room altogether; you run a great risk of infection."
"I am sure," said Mr. Humphries, "I wish I could be of use; I only wish I could sit up, that's all."
Mr. Gage remarked with much disdain, "that his sitting up with a young lady would possess, at least, the charm of novelty;" and then he turned away and loitered to the fire-place.
Mr. Humphries drew his chair closer to Margaret.