human
: I was reminded that another great author had already stepped into his shoes. When I came down again after the nurse had taken possession I found a strange gentleman hanging about the hall and pacing to and fro by the closed door of the drawing-room. This personage was florid and bald, he had a big red moustache and wore showy knickerbockers--characteristics all that fitted into my conception of the identity of Dora Forbes. In a moment I saw what had happened: the author of
gpt
The Other Way Round had just alighted at the portals of Prestidge, but had suffered a scruple to restrain him from penetrating further. I recognised his scruple when, pausing to listen at his gesture of caution, I heard a shrill voice lifted in a prolonged monotonous quaver. The famous reading had begun, only it was the author of
human
Obsessions
gpt
Miss Collop arrived last night, I smiled,
human
Miss Collop?
gpt
Guy Walsingham, your distinguished _confrère_--or shall I say your formidable rival?
human
Oh! growled Dora Forbes. Then he added:
gpt
Shall I spoil it if I go in?
human
I should think nothing could spoil it!
gpt
Yes!