"Ulys rarely left the house anymore, knowing that his appearance would incite speculation. His doctors came to him, and he declined invitations with the excuse that his writing demanded all his attention. "I'm sure they'd welcome your company." "My dear lady," he asked urgently, seizing her hands. "Are those documents by any chance from the Century Company?" "Why, yes," she replied, surprised. "It's a publishing contract." "For his memoirs, I presume. Has he signed it yet?" "Probably not. He and Fred wanted to give it one last careful examination."