“⁠—necessitates a certain retirement. My eyes⁠—are sometimes so weak and painful that I have to shut myself up in the dark for hours together. Lock myself up. Sometimes⁠—now and then. Not at present, certainly. At such times the slightest disturbance, the entry of a stranger into the room, is a source of excruciating annoyance to me⁠—it is well these things should be understood.”

“Certainly, sir,” said Mrs. Hall. “And if I might make so bold as to ask⁠—”

“That I think, is all,” said the stranger, with that quietly irresistible air of finality he could assume at will. Mrs. Hall reserved her question and sympathy for a better occasion.