“Pardon me,” returned Mrs. Wilfer. “Not at all. Two of my daughters. R. W. , this is the gentleman who has taken your first-floor. He was so good as to make an appointment for tonight, when you would be at home.”

A dark gentleman. Thirty at the utmost. An expressive, one might say handsome, face. A very bad manner. In the last degree constrained, reserved, diffident, troubled. His eyes were on Miss Bella for an instant, and then looked at the ground as he addressed the master of the house.

“Seeing that I am quite satisfied, Mr. Wilfer, with the rooms, and with their situation, and with their price, I suppose a memorandum between us of two or three lines, and a payment down, will bind the bargain? I wish to send in furniture without delay.”