"AndyouroriginaladviserwasMr。Sagittarius，washe？"
Onhearingawordsheunderstood，Mrs。Bridgemanbrightenedup，and，perceivingthelittleclergyman，sheanswered，——
"Mr。Sagittarius——ah，yes！SirTiglathisspeakingofyou，Mr。
Sagittarius。"
Thelittleclergymanturnedalmostblackintheface。
"Biggle！"heexclaimed，inavoiceofthunder。"Biggle！Biggle！"
And，withoutfurtherparley，herushedtothecloak—room，seizedsomeoneelse’shatandcoat，andfaredforthintothenight。LadyEnid，whohadmeanttocoachMrs。BridgemanverycarefullyforthemeetingwithSirTiglath，butwhoseplanswerecompletelyupsetbytheastronomer’sprematureadvent，nowendeavouredtointerpose。
"Bytheway，"shesaid，inaverycalmvoice，whereisdearMr。
Sagittarius？Ihaven’tseenhimyet。"
"I’mafraidhe’sangrywithme，"saidMrs。Bridgeman，alludingtothelittleclergyman。"Ireallycan’tthinkwhy。"
"SirTiglath，"saidLadyEnid，boldlytakingtheastronomer’sarm。
"Comewithme。IwantyoutofindMr。Sagittariusforme。Yes，theydomakeratheranoise！"
Thiswasinallusiontotheguitars，fortheastronomerhadnowplacedbothhandsoverhisearsinthevainendeavourtoexclude"TheGipsies。"Deafness，perhaps，renderedhimyielding。Inanycase，hepermittedLadyEnidtodetachhimfromMrs。BridgemanandtoleadhimthroughtheroomsinsearchofMr。Sagittarius。
"Perhapshe’shere，"saidLadyEnid，enteringadarkenedchamber。"Oh，no！"
Andshehastilymovedaway，perceivingalargenumberofdevotedadherentsoftable—tappingbusilyengaged，withoutspreadfingersandsolemnfaces，attheirintellectualpursuit。Avoidingthearchdeacon，whowasnowhavinghisnosereadbytheprofessor，sheconductedtheastronomer，renderedstrangelymeekbytheguitars，intoadrawing—roomnearthehall，inwhichonlyfourpeopleremained——VeranoandMrs。
ElizaDoubleway，whowereconferringinonecorner，andMr。andMadameSagittarius，whowereapparentlyhavingrathermorethanafewwordstogetherinanother。
"Ah！there’sMr。Sagittarius！"saidLadyEnid。
"Minnie！"criedMrs。Eliza，beckoningtoLadyEnid。"Minnie，ducky！"
LadyEnidpretendednottohearandtriedtohastenwiththeastronomertowardstheSagittariuses。ButMrs。Elizawasnottobeputoff。
"Minnie，mypet！"shepiped。"Comehere，Minnie！"
LadyEnidwasobligedtopause。
"Whatisit，dearEliza？"sheasked，atthesametimemakingafaceatthesoothsayertoindicatecaution。
Mrs。ElizaandVeranoroseandapproachedLadyEnidandtheastronomer。
"IwaslayingthecardslastnightatJaneSeaman’s——youknow，dear，theAngelGabrielwholivesontheHackneyDowns——andwhateverdoyouthink？ThehaceofspadescameupthreetimesinconjugationwiththeKnaveof’earts！"
"Terrific！Verygreat！"buzzedVerano，withastrongSouthAmericanIrishbrogue——arealbrothofabrogue。
"Wonderful！"saidLadyEnid，hastily，endeavouringtopasson。
"Waitaminute，darling。Well，IsaystoJane——Iwaslayingthecardsforher’usband，dear——IsaystoJane，Isays，withoutdoubtHisaacisabouttopassover，Isays，seeingtheredboy’scomeupinconjugationwiththehace。’Lord！Mrs。Eliza！Laythemoutagain，’shesays，’for，’
shesays，’ifHikeisgoingtopassover，’shesays——"
"Extraordinary，dearMrs。Eliza！You’reagenius！"criedLadyEnidindespair。
"Tremendous！Verybig！"buzzedVerano，staringatSirTiglath。"Yougotaveryspatulatehandthere，sir！Allowme！"
AndtoLadyEnid’shorrorheseizedtheastronomer’shandwithbothhisown。
"Howdareyoutamperwiththeoldastronomer，sir？"roaredSirTiglath。
"AmIinamadhouse？WhoareallthesecrazyJanes！Dropmyhand，sir！"
Veranoobeyedratherhastily，andLadyEnidconvoyedthesplutteringastronomertowardsthecornerwhichcontainedMr。andMadameSagittarius。
Nowtheseworthieswereinamentalconditionofamostcomplicatedkind。ThereceptionatZoologicalHousehadupsetinanhourthetheoriesandbeliefsofalifetime。HithertoMadamehadalwaysbeenfilledwithshameatthethoughtthatshewasnotthewifeofanarchitectbutofaprophet，andMr。Sagittariushadendeavouredtoassumethemeinandcostumeofanoutsidebroker，andhaddreameddreamsofretiringeventuallyfromahatedanddespisedprofession。Butnowtheyfoundthemselvesinamagnificentmansioninwhichthesecond—
ratemembersoftheirowntribewereworshippedandadored，smotheredwithattentions，pliedwithPommeryandlookeduponasgods，whilethey，intheirincognito，wereneglected，andpaidnomoreheedtothaniftheyhadbeen，inreality，merearchitectsandoutsidebrokers，totallyunconnectedwiththatmysteriousoccultworldwhichisthefashionofthemoment。
Thispositionofaffairshad，notunnaturally，thrownthenintoaconditionofthegravestexcitement。Madame，moreespecially，hadreachedboilingpoint。Feelingherself，forthefirsttime，anImperialcreatureinexile，whohadonlytodeclareherselftoreceiveinstanthomageandtobeoverwhelmedwiththemostflatteringattentions，herlustofglorydevelopedwithalarmingrapidity，andsheurgedherhusbandtocastthetraditionsthathadhithertoguidedhimtothewindsandtodeclareforthwithhisidentitywithMalkieltheSecond，thebusiness—likeandasitwereofficialheadofthewholeprophetictribe。
Mr。Sagittarius，forhispart，wasalsofiredwiththelongingforinstantglory，buthewasbynatureanextremelytimid——orshallwesayrather，anextremelyprudent——man。HerememberedtherepeatedinjunctionsofhisgreatforebearwhohadlivedanddiedintheSusanRoadbesidethegasworks。More，herememberedSirTiglathButt。Hewastornbetweenambitionandterror。
"Declareyourself，Jupiter！"criedMadame。"Declareyourselfthismoment！"
"Mylove！"repliedMr。Sagittarius。"Myangel，wemustreflect。"
"Ihavereflected，"retortedMadame。
"Therearedifficulties，mydear，manydifficultiesintheway。"
"Andwhatifthereare？/Peraugustumadaugustibus/。Everyfoolknowsthat。"
"Mydear，youarealittleharduponme。"
"Andwhathaveyoubeenuponme，Ishouldliketoknow？Whataboutthosegoings—onwiththewomanBridgeman？WhataboutyourinvestigationswiththathussyMinerva？You’vebeenherowl，that’swhatyou’vebeen！"
Shebegantoshowgravesymptomsofhysteria。Mr。Sagittariuspattedherhandsingreatanxiety。
"Mylove，Ihavetoldyou，Ihavesworn——"
"Andwhatmandoesn’tswearwheneverhegetsthechance？"criedMadame。
"WhydidIevermarry？/Heumiserumme/。"
"Myangel，becalm。Iassureyou——"
"Verywellthen，declareyourself，Jupiter，thisminute，orI’lldeclareyourselfforyou！"
"But，mylove，thinkofSirTiglath！Idarenotdeclaremyself。Hewillbehereatanymoment，andhehassworntokillme，ifI’mnotanAmericansyndicate！"
"Rubbish！"
"But，my——"
"Rubbish！That’sonlywhatMr。Viviansays。"
"Well，but——"
"Besides，youcanputonyour/togavirilibus/andknockhimdown。It’snousetalkingtome，Jupiter。"
"Iknowitisn’t，mydarling，Iknow。But——"
"Ifyoudon’tdeclareyourselfIshalldeclareyourselfforyouthisverymoment。Iwillnotenduretobeleftinthecornerwhileallthesenobodiesarebeingtruckledto。BernardWilkins，indeed！Aprophetwewouldn’tsomuchasrecognisetobeaprophet，andthatthereMrs。
Eliza——peoplefromtheWickgoingdowntosupperinfrontofus，andamanfromtheButtsputbeforeyou！It’srightdowndisgusting，andI
won’thaveit。"
ItwasexactlyatthispointinthematrimonialconferencethatLadyEnidandSirTiglathButt，shakingthemselvesfreeofMrs。ElizaandVerano，boredownuponMr。andMadameSagittarius，whoweresobusilyengagedindisputationthattheydidnotperceivethatanyonewasnearuntilLadyEnidtouchedMr。Sagittariusuponthearm。
Thatgentlemanstartedviolentlyand，onperceivingSirTiglathButt，whowaspositivelysputteringwithwrathatthepalmisticattentionspaidtohimbyVerano，shrankagainsthiswife，whopushedhimvigorouslyfromher，and，gettinguponherfeet，announcedinaloudvoice，——
"Verywell，Jupiter，sinceyouwon’tdeclareyourselfIshallgoatoncetothewomanBridgemananddeclareyourselfforyou！"
AndwiththisremarkshescowledatLadyEnidandwalkedmajesticallyaway，tossingherheadvehementlyatMrs。ElizaandVeranoasshesweptintotheadjoiningdrawing—room。
"Dearme，"saidLadyEnid，withgreatcuriosity。"Dearme，Mr。
Sagittarius，isyourwifegoingtomakeadeclaration？Thisismostinteresting！"
And，movedbyherbesettingidiosyncrasy，sheaddedtotheastronomer，"Excuseme，SirTiglath，"I’llbebackinonemoment！"andglidedswiftlyawayinthewakeofMadame，leavingMr。Sagittariusandhisdeadliestfoe/tete—a—tete/。
"Isthisamadhouse，sir？"criedSirTiglath，onbeingthusabandoned。
"Theoldastronomerdemandstoknowatonceifoneis，orisnot，inavastmadhouse？"
"Idon’tknow，sir，indeed，"repliedMr。Sagittarius。"Ishouldnotliketoexpressanopiniononthepoint。Ifyouwillexcu——"
"Sir，theoldastronomerwillnotexcuseyou，"roaredSirTiglath，forciblypreventingMr。Sagittarius，whowaspaleasashes，fromescapingintothefartherroom。"Hewillnotberunawayfrombyeverybodyinthismanner。"
"Ibegpardon，sir，Ihadnointentionofrunningaway，"saidMr。
Sagittarius，makingonelastdespairingefforttoassumehis/togavirilibus/。
"Thenwhydidyoudoit，sir？Telltheoldastronomerthat！"criedSirTiglath，seizinghimbythearm。"Andtellhim，moreover，whatyouandtheoldfemaleBridgemanhavebeenabouttogether？"
"Nothing，sir；IswearthatMrs。Bridgemanandmyselfhavenever——"
"Nevermadeinvestigationsintothepossibilityoftherebeingoxygeninmanyoftheholystars？Doyouaffirmthat，sir？"
"Ido！"criedMr。Sagittarius。"Iamanoutsidebroker。"
"Doyouaffirmthatyouarenoastronomer，sir？Doyoudeclarethatyouarenotamanofscience？"
"Ido！Ido！"
"Notanastronomerofremarkableattainments，butverymodestandretiringwithal？Oh—h—h！"
"Modestandretiring，sir？"criedMr。Sagittarius，suddenlyilluminedbyarayofhope。"That’sjustit！Iamamodestandretiringoutsidebroker，sir。"
Andheviolentlyendeavouredtoprovethetruthofthewordsbyescapingforthwithintoobscurity。
"Thereneverwasamodestandretiringoutsidebroker！"bellowedSirTiglath。"Thereneverwas，andthereneverwillbe。Theold——"
"What’sthat？"interruptedMr。Sagittarius。"Whatever’sthat？"
Foratthismomentanextraordinaryhumofvoicesmadeitselfaudibleabovethefiftyguitars，andanoiseofmanyfeettramplingeagerlyuponMrs。Bridgeman’sparquetgrewlouderandlouderinthebrilliantrooms。Attractedbytheuproar，SirTiglathpausedforamoment，stillkeepinghishanduponthelapelofMr。Ferdinand’scoat，however。Thenoiseincreased。Itwasevidentthatamultitudeofpeoplewasrapidlyapproaching。Wordsutteredbythemovingguests，exclamations，andejaculationsofexcitementnowdetachedthemselvesfromthegeneralmurmur。
"TheProphetfromtheMouse！"
"ThegreatMalkielhere！"
"Thefounderofthealmanac！"
"ThegreatestProphetoftheage！"
"MalkieltheSecondfromtheMouse！"
"WhereisMalkiel？"
"WemustfindMalkiel！"
"WemustseeMalkiel！"
"IsitreallyMalkiel？"
"Oh，isit/the/Malkiel？Where——whereisMalkiel？"
SuchcriesasthesebrokeupontheearsoftheastronomerandMr。
Sagittarius。
SirTiglathgrewpurple。
"Malkielwhohasinsultedtheholystarshere！"heroared，lettinggoofMr。Sagittarius。"Where——whereishe？"
"Inthere，sir，Iverilybelieve！"criedMr。Sagittarius，pointinginthedirectionofthecrowdwithahandthatshooklikealltheleavesinVallombrosa。
"Letmefindhim！"shoutedtheastronomer。"Letmeonlydiscoverhim！
I’llbreakeveryboneinhisaccursedbody。"
Andwiththisratherbaldstatementherolledoutoftheroominonedirection，whileMr。Sagittarius，withoutmoreado，castasidehis/togavirilibus/anddartedoutofitintoanother，justasMadameescortedbyMrs。Bridgeman，LadyEnid，thegreatTowleandthewholeofthecompanyassembledatZoologicalHouse，appearedmajestically——andproceedingasanEmpress——intheapertureofthemaindoorway。
CHAPTERXIX
MRS。MERILLIAHEATSTHEPOKER
WhenMr。Sagittarius，runningathisfullestspeed，emergedfromZoologicalHouse，wearingthehatandcoatthatthesaturninelittleclergymanhadleftbehindhim，thenightwasdampandgusty。Ashehasteneddownthedrive，andthesoundoftwentyguitars，playing"OhwouldIwereaSpaniardamongyoulemongroves！"diedawayinthelightedmansionbehindhim，heheardtheroaringofthebeastsinthegardenscloseby。Inthewetdarknessitsoundedpeculiarlyterrific。
Heshuddered，and，holdingupMr。Ferdinand’strouserswithbothhands，hurriedonwardthroughthemire，whitherheknewnot。Hisonlythoughtwasthatallwasnowdiscoveredandthathislifewasindanger。A
woman’svanityhadwreckedhisfuture。Hemusthidesomewhereforthenight，andgetawayinthemorning，perhapsonboardsometrampsteamerboundforBuenosAyres，oronajunkweighinganchorforHaytiorJava，orsomeotherdistantplace。VaguememoriesofbookshehadreadwhenaboycamebacktohimasheranthroughtheunkemptwildsoftheRegent’sPark。Hesawhimselfastowawayhiddeninahold，alonewithratsandships’biscuits。Hesawhimselfworkinghiswayoutbeforethemast，sentaloftinhurricanesonpitch—blacknights，orturningthewheelthewrongwayroundandbringingtheshiptowreckuponiron—
boundcoastsswarmingwithsharksandsavages。Thelionsroaredagain，andtheblackpantherssnarledbehindtheirprisonbars。HethoughtofthepeacefulwatersoftheriverMouse，ofthelibraryofMadame，ofthehappylittlecircleofarchitectsandtheirwives，ofallthathemustleave。
Whatwonderifhedroppedatearintothemuddyroad？WhatwonderifasobrentthebosomofMr。Ferdinand’snowdisorderedshirtfront？OnandonMr。Sagittarius——orMalkieltheSecond，ashemayfromhenceforthbecalled——wentblindly，onandontilltheParkwasleftbehind，tillcrescentsgavewaytosquares，andsquarestostreets。Hepassedanoccasionalpolicemanandslunkawayfromthepenetratingbull’s—eye。Heheardnowandthenthefar—offrattleofacab，theshrillcryofawhistle，thehowlofabutlersummoningavehicle，thecooofacookbiddinggood—nighttotheyoungtradesmanwhomshelovedbeforetheareagate。AndallthesefamiliarLondonsoundsstruckstrangelyonhisear。Whenwouldhehearthemagain？Perhapsnever。Hestumbledonblindedwithemotion。
Dogs，weknowareguidedbyastrangeinstincttofindtheirhomesevenbyunfamiliarpaths。Pigeonswillflyacrosswidespacesanddropdowntothewickercagethatawaitsthem。Anditwouldappearthatprophetsarenotwithoutacertainfacultythatmaybecalledtopographical。Forhowelsecanthefollowingfactbeexplained？MalkieltheSecond，afterapparentlyendlesswandering，foundhimselftotallyunabletoproceedfurther。Hislegsgavewaybeneathhim。Hisbreathfailed。Hisbrainswam。Hereeled，stretchedforthhishandsandclutchedatthenearestsupport。Thischancedtobearailing，wet，slimy，cold。Hegraspedit，leanedagainstit，andforafewmomentsremainedwherehewasinasortoftrance。Then，gradually，fullconsciousnessreturned。Heglancedupandbeheldtheblackgardenofasquare。Somehowitlookedfamiliar。Heseemedtoknowthoseshadowy，leaflesstrees，theroadwaybetweenhimandthem，eventhepavementuponwhichhisboots——hisownboots——wereset。Hislack—lustreeyestravelledtothehousesthatborderedthesquare，thentothehouseagainstwhosearearailingshewasleaning，andhestartedwithamazement。ForhewasinBerkeleySquare，leaningagainsttherailingofnumberonethousand。Hegazedupatthewindows。Oneortwofaintlightstwinkled。Thenperhapsthehouseholdhadnotyetretiredforthenight。Anideaseizedhim。Hemustrest。Hemustsnatchabriefintervalofrepose，beforestartingforthedocksatdawntofindashipinwhoseholdhecouldseekseclusion，tillthegreatseasroaredroundher，andhecoulddeclarehimselftothecaptainandcrewwithoutfearofbeingputashore。Whynotresthereinnumberonethousand？True，theProphetwouldpresentlybereturningpossiblywithMadame，buthewouldbribeMr。Ferdinandnottomentionhiswhereabouts。Itwasnodoubtaveryrashproceeding，buthewasutterlyexhausted，hefeltthathecouldgonofurther，hefoundhimselfbeforeanalmostfriendlydoor。Whatwonderthenifhetotteredupthestepsandtappedfeeblyuponit？Therewasnoanswer。Hetappedagainmoreloudly。Thistimehissummonswasheard。Stepsapproached。
Therewasamoment’spause。Thenthedooropened，andGustavusappearedlookingrathersleepy，butstilldecidedlyintellectual。MalkieltheSecondpulledhimselftogetherandfacedthefootmanboldly。
"Youknowme？"hesaid。
Gustavusexaminedhimclosely。
"Yes，sir，"herepliedatlength。"Bytheclothes。IshouldknowMr。
Ferdinand’strouseringsamongathousand。"
MalkieltheSecondrealisedthatemotionprobablyrenderedhisfaceunrecognisable。Butatleasthislegsspokeforhim。Thatwassomething，andhecontinued，withanattemptateaseandboldness，——
"Right！Ihavereturnedtochangethem。"
"Yes，sir。Mr。Ferdinandhasretiredtobed，sir。"
"Don’twakehim。Icanjustleavethemforhim。"
"Verywell，sir。"
AndGustavusadmittedMalkieltothedimly—lithallandshutthedoorsoftly。
"Whatisyourname，youngman？"saidMalkiel，whispering。
"Gustavus，sir。"
"Ah！Gustavus，wouldyouliketoearnahundredpoundsto—night？"
Gustavusstarted。
"Idon’tsayashowI’drathernot，sir，"hereplied。"Idon’tgosofarastosaythat。"
"Right！DoasItellyouandyouwillearnahundredpounds。"
Thefootman’seyesbegantoglow，almostlikeacat’sinthetwilight。
"Why，Icouldbuythelibraryneartwelvetimesover，"hemurmured。
"Thelibrary？"saidMalkiel，whosebrainhadsuddenlybecomestrangelyclear。
"Ah，sir——Dr。Carter’s，"returnedGustavus，beginningtotremble。
"Dr。Carter’s！"whisperedMalkiel，excitedly。"Ishouldthinkso。Eightguineasandahalf，andyoupayininstalments。"
"I’lldoit，sir，"hissedGustavus，utterlycarriedawaybytheprospect。"Whatd’youwantmetodo？"
"Firsttoletmechangemyclothesquickly，thentohidemesomewheresoasIcangetasleeptilldawn。CallmedirectlyitbeginstogetlightandIshallbeofftothedocks。"
"Thedocks，sir？"
"Ay。Istartfor——forJavato—morrow。"
"Java，sir——what，wherethesparrowsandthejelly——"
"Ay，ay，"returnedMalkiel，secretlyrehearsinghisnewnauticalrole。
"I’lldoitsir。Andthehundred？"
"I’llwriteyouanorderonmybanker’s。Youcantrustme。Nowletmechangemyclothes。Quick！"
"They’reinMr。Vivian’sbedroom，ain’tthey？"
Malkielnodded。
"Youmustgoverysoft，sir，becauseoftheoldlady。She’sabed，butshemightbewakeful，speciallyto—night。She’sbeenawfulupset。Myword，shehas！"
"I’llgoassoftasamouse，"whisperedMalkiel。"Showmetheway。"
Gustavusadvancedontiptoetowardsthestaircase，followedbyMalkiel，whoheldMr。Ferdinand’sclothestogetherlesttheyshouldrustle，andproceededwiththemostinfiniteprecaution。InthismannertheygainedthesecondfloorandnearedthebedroomdoorofMrs。Merillia。HereGustavusturnedround，pointedtothedoor，andputhisfingertohispoutinglips，atthesametimeroundinghishazeleyesandshakinghispowderedheadinamostwarningmanner。Malkielnodded，heldMr。
Ferdinand’sclothestighter，andstoleon，ashethought，withoutmakingasound。Whatwashishorror，then，justashewaspassingMrs。
Merillia’sdoor，tohearavoicecry，——
"Hennessey！Hennessey！"
GustavusandMalkielstoppeddead，asiftheyhadbothbeenshot。Theynowperceivedthatthedoorwaspartiallyopen，andthatafaintlightshonewithintheroom。
"Hennessey！"criedthevoiceofMrs。Merilliaagain。"Comeinhere。I
mustspeaktoyou。"
GustavusdartedonintothedarknessoftheProphet’sroom，butMalkieltheSecondwassoalarmedthathestayedwherehewas，findinghimselftotallyincapableofmovement。
"Hennessey！"repeatedthevoice。
Thentherewasafaintrustling，thedoorwasopenedmorewidely，andMrs。Merilliaappearedintheaperture，cladinamostcharmingnightbonnet，androbedinadressing—gownofwhitewateredsilk。
"Theratcatcher！"shecried。"Theratcatcher！"
Malkielturnedanddarteddownthestairs，whileMrs。Merillia，intheextremeofterror，shutherdoor，lockeditasmanytimesasshecould，andthenhastenedtremblingtothebellwhichcommunicatedwiththefaithfulMrs。Fancy，rangit，anddroppedhalffaintingintoachair。
Mrs。FancywokefromherseconddreamjustasMalkiel，closelyfollowedbythenowshatteredGustavus，reachedthehall。
"Hideme！Hideme！"whisperedMalkiel。"Inhere！"
Andhedartedintotheservants’quarters，leavingGustavusonthemat。
Mrs。Merillia’sotherbellnowpealedshrillydownstairs。Gustavuspausedandpulledhimselftogether。Hewasbynatureafairlyintrepidyouth，andmoreover，hehadrecentlymadeaclosestudyofCarlyle’s/HeroesandHero—worship/，whichgreatlyimpressedhim。Hethereforeresolvedinthismomentofperiltoacquithimselfinsimilarcircumstances，andheremountedthestairsandreachedMrs。Merillia’sdoorjustasMrs。Fancy，wrappedinawoollenshawlandwearingapairofknittednight—socks，descendedtothelanding，candleinhand。
"Oh，Mr。Gustavus！"saidMrs。Fancy。"Isittherobbersagain？Isitmurder，Mr。Gustavus？Isitfire？"
"Idon’tknow，Mrs。Fancy，I’llaskthemistress。"
Hetappeduponthedoor。
"Youcan’tcomein！"criedpoorMrs。Merillia，whowaslosingherheadperhapsforthefirsttimeinherlife。"Youcan’tcomein，andifyoudoIshallgiveyouinchargetothepolice。"
Andsherangbothherbellsagain。
"Ma’am！"saidGustavus，knockingoncemore。"Ma’am！"
"It’snouseyourknocking，"returnedMrs。Merillia。"Thedoorisbolted。Goaway，goaway！"
Andagainsheranghertwobells。
"Madam！"pipedMrs。Fancy。"Madam！It’sme！"
"Iknow，"saidMrs。Merillia。"Iknowit’syou！Isawyou！Leavethehouseunlessyouwishtobeatonceputinprison。
Herbellspealed。Mrs。Fancybegantosob。
"Metoleavethehouse！"shewailed。"Metogotoprison！"
"Bearup，Mrs。Fancy，shedoesn’tknowwhoitis！"saidGustavus。
"Ma’am！Ma’am！Missis！Missis！"