“And the man—the gentleman—is to be admitted, madam?”
“Certainly—for five minutes.”
“Your ladyship will regulate the time?”
“Go away, you numbskull! How could I regulate the time? I'm no astronomer.”
“Madam, I meant but to inquire if you are to be interrupted at the end of five minutes.”
“I gave you no such instruction, sirrah. It is enough for you to carry out the instruction I gave you. Carry it out, and yourself in the bargain.”
The man bowed and withdrew. He was familiar with the colloquial style of his mistress and her moods.
When the man had gone Nelly laughed again, but suddenly became graver even than she had yet been.
“What have I done?” she cried. “Oh, there never was so great a fool as me! No, no; I'll not see him! I have as kind a heart as Dick, and I'll prove it by not seeing him.”
And yet, when she had her hand on the lock of the door, she stood irresolute once again for some moments. Then she went out with a firm step, her intention being to countermand in the hall the instructions she had given to the servant in the parlour; but in the hall she found herself face to face with her old friend, Sir Charles Sedley. He had brought her a bunch of violets.