"Yes, madam. Certainly. Mr. B. is in his private room. What name shall I have the pleasure of saying?"
"Lovett."
"Lovett? Yes, madam. Certainly—a-hem! Pray be seated, madam, if you please."
Mrs. Lovett made a gesture of dissent, and the clerk went upon his errand. He was scarcely absent a moment, and then holding open a door, he said, with quite a chivalric air—
"This way, if you please, madam.—A monstrous fine woman," he added to himself.
The door closed after Mrs. Lovett, and she was in the private room of Mr. Anthony Brown.
"Ah, Mrs. Lovett. Pray be seated, madam. I am truly glad to see you well. Well, to be sure, you do look younger, and younger, and younger, every time I have the pleasure of a visit from you."
"Thank you, Mr. Brown, for the compliment. My visits have not been so numerous as usual of late."
"Why, no ma'am, they have not; but I hope we are going to resume business again in the old way?"
"Not exactly."