"Did I not promise you that I would be in Richmond this Sunday morning, in time to attend you to church?"
"Yes, you did, but—"
"Well, I could not get in so early as I intended, because I came on by the train that leaves Wendover at midnight. So I did not reach the city until nearly noon to-day. However, if I was not in time to attend you to church, I was in time to attend you from church. So I kept my promise tolerably well."
"Yes; but, my dear friend, I particularly requested that you would wait at Wendover and watch certain events, and not come to Richmond until something had happened or was about to happen."
"Well then?"
"You gave me your word that you would do as I directed you."
"Yes, certainly I did."
"Then, seeing you here, I am to presume that all the conditions of your engagement have been fulfilled."
"Yes, they have, dear lady mine."
"First, then, as you were not to come here until Mr. Alden Lytton was about to start or had started for this place, why, I am to presume, by seeing you here, that Mr. Lytton is either present in the city or on his way here."