"Pray bring your friend;" i.e., "Doesn't he know how overcrowded my rooms are already?"
"To be perfectly candid;" i.e., "Not sorry to rub it in."
Journalistic.
"As yet nothing has transpired;" i.e., The reporter was too late to obtain any information.
"Detective Inspector Muggins is actively pursuing his inquiries;" i.e., Reporter thinks it as well to keep in with Muggins, who, may be useful in future.
Epistolatory.
"In great haste;" i.e., "Must make some excuse for scrappiness."
"We were all so shocked at hearing of your sad bereavement;" i.e., "None of us knew her but myself, and I thought her a Cat!"
At a Dance.
"Let me get you a partner, Mr.—'er—'er Smith;" i.e., "He'll do for dowdy Miss Jones, who has only danced once the whole night."