Quotation from: The Arrow of Gold

Written by: Joseph Conrad

I expressed to him my surprise that he should fuss about me like an
old hen over a chick. It wasn't like him at all. And he said that
"en effet" it was Madame Leonore who wouldn't give him any peace.
He hoped I wouldn't mind, it was best to humour women in little
things; and so he started off again, made straight for the street
of the Consuls, was told there that I wasn't at home but the woman
of the house looked so funny that he didn't know what to make of
it. Therefore, after some hesitation, he took the liberty to
inquire at this house, too, and being told that I couldn't be
disturbed, had made up his mind not to go on board without actually
setting his eyes on me and hearing from my own lips that nothing
was changed as to sailing orders.