"FrederickSmith！"
　　"Here，Mr。Sagittarius！"criedtheyounglibrarian，appearingwithsuspiciouscelerityupontheparlourthreshold。
　　"Drawthecorkofthesecondbottle，FrederickSmith，"saidMalkiel，impressively。"Thisgentlemanisabouttotakethepledge"——onhearingthisironicparadoxtheProphetstoodup，verymuchintheattitudeformerlyassumedbyMalkielwhenabouttododgeinthelibrary——"thatI
　　shallputtohim，"concludedMalkiel，alsostandingup，andassumingthelibrarypostureoftheProphet。
　　IndeedthesituationofthelibraryseemedabouttobeaccuratelyreversedintheparlourofJellybrand’s。
　　Theyounglibrarianassistedthecorktoemergephlegmaticallyfromtheneckofthesecondbottleofchampagne，mechanicallysmackinghislipsthewhile。
　　"Nowpour，andleaveus，FrederickSmith。"
　　Theyounglibrarianhelpedthefatigued—lookingwineintothetwoglasses，whereitlayasifthoroughlyexhaustedbytheeffortofgettingthere，andthenlanguidlylefttheparlour，turninghisbulgingheadoverhisshouldertoindulgeinapathetic/oeillade/erehevanished。
　　TheProphetwatchedhimgo。
　　"Closethedoor，FrederickSmith，"criedMalkiel，inameaningmanner。
　　TheProphetblushedaguiltyred，andtheyounglibrarianobeyedwithabang。
　　"Andnow，sir，Imustrequestyoutotakeasolemnpledgeinthisvintage，"saidMalkiel，placingoneofthetumblersintheProphet’stremblinghand。
　　"Really，"saidtheProphet，"Iamnotatallthirsty。"
　　"Whyshouldyoube，sir？Whathasthatgottodowithit？"retortedMalkiel。"Liftyourglass，sir。"
　　TheProphetobeyed。
　　"Andnowtakethispledge——that，tillthelastday——"
　　"Whatday？"
　　"Thelastday，sir，youwillrevealtonolivingpersonthatthereissuchanindividualasMalkiel，thatyouhaveevermethim，whoheis，orwhoMadameandfamilyare，unlessIgivetheword。Youhavesurprisedmysecret。Youhaveforcedyourselfuponme。Youowemethis。
　　Drink！"
　　MechanicallytheProphetdrank。
　　"Swear！"
　　Mechanically——indeedalmostlikeaBritishworkingman——theProphetswore。
　　Malkieldrainedhistumbler，anddrewonthedogskinglovewhich，intheagitationofapreviousmoment，hehadthrownaside。
　　"Ihaveyourcard，sir，hereismine。IshallnowtakethetraintotheRiverMouse，onwhosebanksIshallconferatoncewithMadame。TillI
　　havedonethisIcannottellyouwhatformthetestsIshallhavetoapplytoyouwilltake。WhenIhavedoneityouwillhearfromme。Yourservant，sir。"
　　Hebowedmajestically，andwasturningtowardsthedoorwhenitwashastilyopenedandaladyappearedfranticallyintheaperture。
　　CHAPTERV
　　MALKIELTHESECONDPOISONSMISSMINERVA
　　"MissMinerva！"exclaimedMalkieltheSecond。
　　"LadyEnid！"criedtheProphet，atthesamemoment。
　　"Youcan’tgointhere，MissPartridge！"ejaculatedtheyounglibrarian，simultaneously，fromthefurtherroom。
　　Thelady，atallgirloftwenty—two，withgreyeyes，darksmoothhair，andaveryagreeable，thoughslightlyScottish，mouth，begantobehaveratherlikeastagatbay。Shepanted，andlookedwildlyroundasifmeditatinghow，andinwhatdirection，shecouldbestbolt。
　　"What’sthematter？"criedtheProphet，hisvoicebecomingnotalittlepiercingfromsurpriseandhispreviousstressofagitation。
　　"Youcan’tgointhere，MissMinerva，"requestedtheyounglibrarian，whohadnowgainedtheparlourthreshold，andwhoseemedabouttotakeupaverydeterminedstandthereon。
　　"Imustgoin——Imust，"saidthelady，inamellow，butagainslightlyScottish，voice。"Don’ttellanybodyI’mhere，oryou’llbesorry。"
　　And，withthesewords，sheboundedintotheparlourandbangedthedoorontheyounglibrarian。TheProphetopenedhislipspreparatorytoathirdwildexclamation。
　　"Hush！"theladyhissedaristocratically。
　　Sheshookherheadvigourouslyathim，sankdownononeofthecanechairs，heldupherrighthand，andleanttowardsthedoor。Itwasobviousthatshewaslisteningforsomethingwithstrainedattention，andsoeloquentwasherattitudethatthetwoprophetswereinfectedwithherdesire。Theyturnedtheireyesmechanicallytowardsthedealdoorandlistenedtoo。Foramomenttherewassilence。Thenaheavyfootstepresoundeduponthelibraryfloor，accompaniedbythesharptapofawalkingstick。Thelady’sattitudebecamemoretenseandthepupilsofherhandsomegreyeyesdilated。
　　"Hasayoungfemalejustenteredthisshop？"saidaveryheavyandrumblingvoice。
　　"Thisain’tashop，sir，"repliedthehighsopranooftheyounglibrarian，indignantly。
　　"Bandynowordswithme，thouinfamousmalapert！"returnedthefirstvoice。"Butanswermyquestion。Haveyouayoungfemaleconcealedwithintheseloathsomeprecincts？"
　　UnderordinarycircumstancesitisverypossiblethattheyounglibrarianmighthavebetrayedtheladyashehadalreadybetrayedMalkieltheSecond。Butithappenedthatthereexistedupontheearthoneobject，andoneobjectonly，towardswhichhefeltasenseofchivalry。ThisobjectwasJellybrand’sLibrary。Hisreplytothevoicewasthereforeasfollows，andwasdeliveredinhishighestkeyandwithextremevolubilityandpassion：——
　　"Loathsomeprecinctsyourself！You’reaniceone，youare，chasingrespectableladiesaboutatyourage。Thereain’tnoyoungfemalesinthelibrary，andiftherewasIshouldn’ttrot’emoutforyoutoclapyouruglyoldeyeson。Nowthen，outyergo。Nomorewordsaboutit。
　　Outyergo！"
　　Aprolongedsoundofhardbreathingandoffeetscrapingviolentlyuponbareboardsfolloweduponthisdeliverance，complicatedbythesharpsnapofabreakingwalkingstick，thethumpofafallingchair，abangasofaheavybodyencounteringfirmresistancefromsomeinflexiblearticleoffurniture——probablyabookcase——andfinallyatremendousthundering，asofthehoofsofasquadronofcavalrychargingoveraparquetfloor，thecrashofadoor，thegrindingofakeyswiftlyturninginalock，and——silence。
　　Thelady，MalkieltheSecondandtheProphetlookedatoneanother，andtheladyopenedhermouth。
　　"D’youthinkhe’skilledhim？"shewhisperedwithconsiderablecuriosity。
　　Therecameadistantnoiseofatorrentofknocksuponadoor。
　　"No，hehasn’t，"addedthelady，arrangingherdress。"That’sagoodthing。"
　　Thetwoprophetsnodded。Thetorrentofknocksroaredlouder，slightlyfailedupontheear，madeacrescendo，emulatedNiagara，surpassedthatveryAmericaneffortofnature，wavered，falteredtoLodore，diedawaytoafeebletittuplikewaterdroppingfromataptoflagstones，roseagaininafinalspurtthatwouldhavemadeSoutheyopenhisdictionaryforadjectives，anddrainedawaytodeath。
　　Theladyleanedback。Forthefirsttimehercomposureseemedabouttodesertherentirely。Thatfatalsigninwoman，aworkingthroat，swallowingnothingwithextremerapidityandpersistence，becameapparent。
　　"Aglassofwine，MissMinerva？"criedMalkiel，gallantly。
　　Heplacedatumblertoherlips。Shefeeblysipped，thansprangtoherfeetwithacry。
　　"I’mpoisoned！"
　　"Youneverspokeatruerword，"saidtheProphet，solemnly。
　　"Whatisit？"continuedthelady，frantically。"Whathashegivenme？"
　　"Champagneatfourshillingsabottlebroughtfreshfromnextdoortoarabbitshop，"answeredtheProphet，lookingatMalkielwithalmostmalignantsatisfaction。
　　Thelady，whohadgonewhiteaschalk，dartedtothedoorandflungitopen。
　　"Aglassofwater！"shecried。"Getmeaglassofwater。"
　　Theyounglibrariancameforwardwithablackeye。
　　"It’sallright，ma’am。Thegentleman’sgone，"hepiped。
　　"Whatgentleman？GivemeaglassofwaterorIshalldie！"
　　Theyounglibrarian，whohadalreadyaninjuredair，proceededfromapositivetoacomparativeconditionofappearance。
　　"Well，Inever！Whatgentleman！"heexclaimed。"Andmeblueandblackallover，tosaynothingofthebookcaseandthenewpaintthat’llbewantedforthedoor！"
　　"Canyouchatterabouttriflesatsuchamoment？"criedtheProphet。
　　"Don’tyouseethelady’sbeenpoisoned？"
　　"What——bytheoldgent？"returnedtheyounglibrarian。"Thenwhatdoesshecometoalibraryfor？Whydon’tshegotoachemist？"
　　TheladyturnedheragonisedeyesupontheProphet。
　　"Takemetoone，"shewhisperedthroughpalelips。
　　Shetotteredtowardshimandleaneduponhisarm。
　　"Trustme，trustme，Iwill，"saidtheProphet。"Directme！"headdedtotheyounglibrarian。
　　"There’soneontheothersideoftherabbitshop，"saidthatworthy，whohadsuddenlybecomeexceedinglygluminmannerandmoroseinappearance。
　　"Thankyou。Kindlyunlockthedoor。"
　　Theyounglibrariandidso，lethargically，andtheladyandtheProphetbegantomoveslowlyintothestreet。JustastheyweregainingitMalkieltheSecondcriedout，——
　　"Onemoment，sir！"
　　"Notone，"retortedtheProphet，firmly。"Notonetillthisladyhashadanantidote。"
　　Hewalkedonwithdetermination。Supportingthelady。Buterehegotquiteoutofearshothecaughtthesefragmentsofashatteredspeech，hurtlingthroughthesymphonyofLondonnoises：——
　　"BanksoftheMouse——Madame——sakeofCapricor——besureI——probe——quick——search——theverycore——hearfromme——architects——marrow——almanac——thelastday——theBerkeleysquare——"
　　Thefinalejaculationmeltedawayintothesomewhatpowerfuldiscordproducedbytheimpactofabrewer’sdraywitharunawayomnibusatthecornerofGreekStreet，whichwaseventuallyresolvedbytheburstingofamotorcar——containingtwobookmakersandanactingmanager——whichmingledwiththemattherateofperhapsfortymilesanhour。
　　"Yes，please，ahansom，"saidLadyEnidThistle，somefiveminuteslater，assheandtheProphetstoodtogetheruponthekerbinfrontoftherabbitshop。"Ifeelmuchbetternow。"
　　TheProphethailedahansomandhandedherintoit。
　　"Whichwayareyougoing？"heasked。
　　LadyEnidlookeddoubtful。
　　"IoughttobegoingbacktoJellybrand’s，"shesaid。"Ihadanappointment。Butreally——youseeMr。Sagittariusisthere，andaltogether——Idon’tknow。"
　　Shewasobviouslystillupsetbythe"creamingfoam，"andtheotherincidentsoftheafternoon。
　　"Cometoteawithgrannie，"saidtheProphet。
　　"She’sathome？"
　　"Yes。She’stwistedherankle。"
　　"Oh，I’msosorry。"
　　"Letmeescortyou。"
　　"Thanks。IthinkIwill。"
　　"Youwon’tmindstoppingforamomentatHollings’s？"saidtheProphet，inPiccadillyCircus。"Ipromisedtobuysomeroses。Somebodyiscomingintotea。"
　　"On，no。Butwhoisit？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Onlyoneperson，Ithink。Anoldfriend，nodoubt。
　　ProbablytheCentralAmericanAmbassador’sgrandfather。"
　　"Oh，ifthat’sall！Ifeelalittleshakystill。"
　　"Naturally。"
　　TheProphetboughttherosesandtheydroveon。
　　"It’sveryniceofyounottoaskanyquestions，"observedLadyEnid，presently。
　　TheProphethadbeenthinkingitwas，butheonlysaid，——
　　"Oh，notatall。"
　　"I’mawoman，"promisedLadyEnid，"andIdon’tknowwhetherIcanbesonice。"
　　TheProphetglancedatherandmethercuriousgreyeyes。
　　"Try——please，"herepliedverygently，thinkingoftheoathwhichhehadjusttaken。
　　LadyEnidwassilentfortwominutes，thensheremarked，——
　　"Ihavetried，butIcan’tsucceed。Whyonearthwereyouclosetedintheparlour——atmytime，too——withMr。Sagittariusthisafternoon？"
　　"ThenyoureallyareMissMinervaPartridge？Anditwasreallyyouwhohad——had——well，’bespoke’theparlourathalf—pastthree？"
　　"Certainly。Nowweareneitherofusnice，butwe’rebothofushuman。"
　　"Thereweresomelettersforyou，"saidtheProphet。
　　LadyEnidwrinkledhersmooth，young，healthy—lookingforehead。
　　"Howstupidofme！I’llfetchthemto—morrow。Well？"
　　ShelookedattheProphetwithobviousexpectation。
　　"I’msosorryIcan’ttellyou，"herepliedwithgentlefirmness。
　　"Oh，allright，"sherejoined。"ButnowI’matadisadvantage。YouknowI’mMissMinerva。"
　　"Yes。ButIdon’tknowwhyyouare，orwhyyougotoJellybrand’s，orwhyyourushedintotheparlour，orwhotheoldgentlemanwasthat——"
　　ThecabstoppedbeforeMrs。Merillia’shouse。
　　Inthehall，uponanoakenbench，theyperceivedaverybroad—brimmedtophatstandingonitshead。Besideitlaytwopiecesofastoutandknobblywalkingstickwhichhadbeenbrokeninhalf。LadyEnidstartedviolently。
　　"GoodHeavens！"shecried。
　　Shepickedupthewalkingstick，examinedit，andlaiditdown。
　　"Idon’tthinkIwantanytea，"shemurmured。
　　"I’msureyoudo，"saidtheProphet，withsomepressure。
　　Shestoodstillforamoment。Then，catchingtheattentiveroundeyeofGustavus，whowaswaitingbythehalldoor，sheshruggedhershouldersandwalkedtowardsthestaircase。
　　"It’sveryhardlines，"shemurmuredasshebegantoascend："allthequestionsyouwantedtoaskarebeinganswered。YouknowI’mMissMinervaalready。Inanotherminuteyou’llknowwhotheoldgentlemanwasthat——"
　　TheProphetcouldtellfromtheexpressionofherstraight，slightlyScottish，backthatshewaspoutingassheenteredthedrawing—roomwhereMrs。Merilliawashavingteawith——somebody。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　THEOLDASTRONOMERDISCOURSETHOFTHESTARS
　　NeverbeforehadtheProphetfeltsoalivewithcuriosityashedidwhenhefollowedLadyEnidintoMrs。Merillia’spresence，forheknewthathewasabouttoseethevenerablevictimoftheyounglibrarian’sindignantchivalry，the"oldgent"whohadcometointimatetermswithJellybrand’sbookcase，andwhohadkickedandknockedatleastapintofpaintoffJellybrand’sdoor。Hiseyeswerelargeandstaringasheglancedswiftlyfromhisgrandmother’ssofatothehugetelescope，underwhoseveryshadowwasseatednolessapersonagethanSirTiglathButt，holdingacupofteaononehandandalarge—sizedmuffinintheother。
　　NowondertheProphetjumped。NowonderMrs。Merilliacriedout，inherpretty，clearvoice，——
　　"TakecareofBeau，Hennessey！You’retreadingonhim。"
　　Thedachshund’spatheticshriekofoutragemadetheraftersring。Mrs。
　　Merilliaputhermittenstoherears，andSirTiglathdroppedhismuffinintoajarofpot—pourri。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidtheProphet，earnestly。"SirTiglath——thisisindeedasur——apleasure。"
　　LadyEnidwasbeingembracedbyMrs。Merillia。TheProphetextendedhishandtotheastronomer，who，however，turnedhisbacktothecompanyand，divingoneofhisenormoushandsintothepot—pourrijar，begantorummageviolentlyforhisvanishedmeal。
　　"Whatisit？"saidtheProphet，whohadnotseenthemuffingo。"CanI
　　helpyou？"
　　Stillpresentinghishugebackandthepurplenapeofhisfatnecktotheassemblage，theastronomer，aftertryinginvaintoextractthelostdaintyinalegitimatemanner，turnedthejarupsidedown，andpouredtherose—leavesandthemuffininaheterogeneouslibationupontheChippendaletable。Afteracloseexaminationofitheturnedaround，holdingupthefoodtowhosebutteredsurfaceseveralleavesadheredinadisordered，butdetermined，manner。
　　"OnlyaPersiancoulddevourthismuffinnow，"hesaid，inhisrumbling，sing—songandstrangelytheatricalvoice，whichalwayssuggestedthathewasabouttodeliveracoupleofhundredorsolengthsofblankverse。"Omarbeneathhistreeperchance，orGurustuwhotoBaghdadcamewithsteeda—foamandeyesa—flame。Whereforedoyoutrampleuponhaplessanimalsthatarenotdumb，youngman，andcausethepoorastronomertocasthismuffinupontheroses，where，mayhap，thehousemaidmightfinditaftermanydays？Oh—h—h—h！"
　　Heutteredatremulousbasscryofmingledreproachanddespair，thatsoundedratherlikethewailofsomedeplorablewatchmanuponacitywall，shakinghisenormousheadattheProphetthewhile，andflappinghisredhandsslowlyintheair。
　　"Howd’youdo，SirTiglath？"saidLadyEnid，cominguptohimwithlightcarelessness。
　　SirTiglathbowed。
　　"Veryill，veryill，"herumbled，lookingatherfurtivelywithhisglassyeyes。"Onehashadanafternoonoftragedy，anafternoonofbrawlingandofdisturbance，inanavenuethatshallhenceforthbecalledaccursed。"
　　Hesatdownuponhisarmchair，withhisshortlegsstuckstraightoutandrestinguponhisheelsalone，hishandsfoldedacrosshisstomach，andhispurpletriplechinsunkinhiselaborate，butverydusty，cravat。Wagginghisheadtoandfro，headded，withtheheavy，concludingtremolothatdecoratedmostofhisvocalefforts，"Thriceaccursed。Oh—h—h—h！"
　　LadyEnid，whoseemedtohavequiterecoveredherself—possession，satdownbyMrs。Merillia，whiletheProphet，insomeconfusion，offeredtohisgrandmotherthebunchofroseshehadboughtatHollings’s。"
　　"They’realittlelate，grannie，I’mafraid，"hesaid。"ButIwasunavoidablydetained。"
　　Mrs。Merilliaglancedathimsharply。
　　"Detained，Hennessey！Thenyoufoundwhatyouwereseeking？"
　　TheProphetrememberedhisoathandturnedscarlet。
　　"No，no，grannie，"hemurmuredhastily，andlookinglikeacriminal。"I
　　metLadyEnid，"headded。
　　"Wheredidyoumeetthelady，youngman？"saidSirTiglath。"Wasitintheaccursedavenue？"
　　LadyEnidshotahastyglanceofwarningattheProphet。Mrs。Merilliainterceptedit，andbegantoformfreshideasofthatyoungperson，whomshehadformerlycalledsensible，butwhomshenowbegantothinkofascrafty。
　　"Whichavenueisthat，SirTiglath？"askedtheProphet，witharatherinadequateassumptionofinnocence。
　　"TheAvenueinwhichonebeholdstheperfidydartingintohiddenplaces，youngman，inwhichthedefendersoffoolishvirginsarebuffetedandbrowbeatenbycounter—jumperswithcraniumsasbigasthegreatnebulaofOrion。Theavenuenamedafteracrumbledphilanthropist，whocouldwalk，sheeted，throughtheatrociousnightcouldhissacreddustawaketotheabominationsthatareperpetratedundertheprotectionofhisshadow。LetdragonslayitwastelikethehighwaysofBabylon。"
　　Hegatheredupacrumpet，andblinkedatLadyEnid，whowasairilysippingherteawithaslightlydetachedairofcalmandmaidenlydignity。
　　"IthinkSirTiglathmustbedescribingShaftesburyAvenue，"remarkedMrs。Merillia，rathermischievously。
　　"Oh，really，"stammeredtheProphet，"Ihadnoideathatitwassuchanevilneighbourhood。"
　　"WhereisShaftesburyAvenue？"askedLadyEnid，gentlyfoldingafragmentofthinbreadandbutterandnibblingitwithherprettymouth。
　　SirTiglathelevatedhishandsandrolledhiseyes。
　　"WherepartridgesaretobefoundinJanuary，oh—h—h—h！"washisveryunexpectedreply。
　　TheProphetstartedviolently，andevenLadyEnidlookeddisconcertedforamoment。
　　"Whatdoyoumean，SirTiglath？"shesaid，recoveringherself。
　　SheturnedtoMrs。Merillia。
　　"Iwonderwhathemeans，"shesaid。"Henevertalkssensiblyunlessheisinhisobservatory，orlecturingtotheRoyalSocietyonthe’RegularityofHeavenlyBodies，’or——"
　　"Theirregularitiesofearthlyones，"interposedSirTiglath。"Intheaccursedavenue——oh—h—h！"
　　"Ifear，SirTiglath，youmustbeamemberoftheVigilanceSociety，"
　　saidMrs。Merillia。
　　"Yes。Helooksatthemoralsofthestarsthroughhistelescope，saidLadyEnid。"Bytheway——doyou，too？"sheaddedtotheProphet，forthefirsttimeobservingtheinstrumentinthebowwindow。
　　Mrs。MerilliaandSirTiglathexchangedaglance。AnearnestexpressioncameintotheProphet’sface。
　　"Iconfess，"hesaid，withbecomingmodestyinthepresenceofthegreatmasterofmodernastronomy，"thatIdowatchtheheavensfromthatwindow。"
　　"Andforwhatpurpose，youngman？"rumbledSirTiglath，forthefirsttimedroppinghistheatricalmannerofanoldbarn—stormer，andspeakinglikeanyordinaryfogey，suchasyoumayseeatameetingonbehalfoftheNorthPole，oratadinneroftheOddeVolumes。
　　"For——forpurposesofresearch，SirTiglath，"answeredtheProphet，withsomediplomacy。
　　"Theyoungmantriethtoputofftheoldastronomerwithfairwords，"
　　bellowedSirTiglath。"Thethiefinsertethhisthumbintothetailpocketoftheunobservantarchbishopforpurposesofresearch。Theyoungmanplayethmerrilyforsoothwiththeoldastronomer。"
　　Mrs。Merillianoddedherlacecapathimencouragingly。Itwasevidentthattherewasanunderstandingbetweenthem。LadyEnidbegantowonderwhatwasitsnature。TheProphetseemedratherdisconcertedatthereceptiongiventohisnotwhollyartlessambiguity。
　　"Grannie，"hesaid，turningtoMrs。Merillia，"youknowhowdeeplythestarsinterestme。"
　　"Fortheirownsake，youngman？"saidSirTiglath。"Orastheaccursedavenueintereststhefoolishvirgins——forthesakeoffrivolity，idlecuriosity，ordarkdoingswhichcouldnotsupportthelightevenofastarofthesixthmagnitude？Canyoutellyouradmirableandreveredgranddamthat？"
　　Thistime，underneathhispreposterousmannerandfantasticspeech，bothLadyEnidandtheProphetfanciedthattheycoulddetectanelementofrealgravity，evenperhapsahintofweightycensurewhichmadethembothfeelveryyoung——risingtwo，orthereabouts。
　　"Iwasoriginallyledtostudystars，SirTiglath，becauseIhadthehonourtomeetyouandmakeyouracquaintance，"saidtheProphet，valiantly。
　　Theastronomerlapsedatonceintohisfirstmanner。
　　"Inwhatfaircompanydidtheoldastronomerconversewiththeyoungman？"hecried。"Hismemoryfailethhim。Hedotethandcannotrecallthegreatoccasion。"
　　"ItwasattheColleyCibberClub，SirTiglath，"saidtheProphet，firmly。"Butwe——wedidnotconverse。Youhada——aslightindisposition。"
　　"Wouldyouventuretoimply——inthepresenceofyournotablegranddam——
　　thatonehadlookeduponthewinewhenitwasred，youngman？"
　　"Youhadaglassofportbyyoucertainly，SirTiglath。Butyoualsohadacoldwhich，yougavemetounderstand——bysigns——hadaffectedyourthroatandpreventedyoufromcarryingonconversation。
　　"Thenwasitthevisionoftheoldastronomer’spersonalandstarrybeautythatledyou，hotfoot，toVenusthroughyondertelescope？
　　Oh—h—h—h！"