TheheartofBarnetwassufficientlyimpressionabletobeinfluencedbyDowne’spartingprophecythathemightnotbesounwelcomehomeasheimagined:thedrearynightmight，atleastonthisoneoccasion，makeDowne’sforecasttrue。Henceitwasinasuspensethathecouldhardlyhavebelievedpossiblethathehaltedathisdoor。Onenteringhiswifewasnowheretobeseen，andheinquiredforher。Theservantinformedhimthathermistresshadthedressmakerwithher，andwouldbeengagedforsometime。
’Dressmakeratthistimeofday！’
’Shedinedearly，sir，andhopesyouwillexcuseherjoiningyouthisevening。’
’ButsheknewIwascomingto-night？’
’Oyes，sir。’