Very cheery and healthful among the breezy copse to make this sort of rural survey. As they parted in the hall, Monsieur Varbarriere spoke his eloquent appreciation of the beauties of the surrounding country; and then, having letters to despatch by the post, he took his leave, and strode up with pounding steps to his dressing-room.
Long before he reached it, his smile had quite subsided, and it was with a solemn and stern countenance that he entered and nodded to his valet, whom he found awaiting him there.
"Well, Jacques, any more offers? Does Sir Jekyl still wish to engage you?"
"I can assure Monsieur there has not been a word since upon that affair."
"Good!" said Monsieur Varbarriere, after a second's scrutiny of the valet's dark, smirking visage.
The elderly gentleman unlocked his desk, and taking forth a large envelope, he unfolded the papers enclosed in it.
"Have we anything to note to-day about that apartment verd? Did you manage the measurement of the two recesses?"
"They are three feet and a half wide, two feet and a half deep, and the pier between them is, counting in the carved case, ten feet and six inches; and there is from the angle of the room at each side, that next the window and that opposite, to the angle of the same recesses, counting in, in like manner, the carved case, two feet and six inches exactly. Here Monsieur has the threads of measurement," added Jacques, with a charming bow, handing a little paper, containing certain pieces of tape cut at proper lengths and noted in pen and ink, to his master.
"Were you in the room yourself since?"
"This afternoon I am promised to be again introduced."