"Mercifullyherbookshavecomfortedher。Sheisrestingamongthemnow。Madameispossessedofamagnificentlibrary，sir，encyclopaedicinitsscopeandcosmopolitaninitspointofview。Initarerepresentedeveryageandeveryracesincethedawnofletters；
　　thousandsuponthousandsofauthors，sir，RabelaisandDeanFarrar，LambandtheHindoos，MettlelinkandthepithofthegreatphilosopherssuchasJohnOliverHobbes，Locke，HumeandEarlSpencer；thebitingsarcasmofHiny，thepathosofPeps，theoratoricalmaster—strokesofsuchmenasGladstone，DemosthenesandKeirHardie；theromanceofKipling，sir，ofBretHarteandDantyRossini；thepoetryofKempisaBrowningandofElizabethThomasBarrett——all，allarethereboundinPersiancalf。Amongthesesheseeksforsolace。Totheseshefliesinhoursofanguish。"
　　"Doessheindeed？"saidtheProphet，feelingthoroughlyoverwhelmed。
　　"Shedesiresmetotakeyoutoheratonce，sir，theretoconferand"——
　　heloweredhisvoiceandtrembledvisibly——"toarrangemeasuresfortheprotectionofmylife。"
　　TheProphetfoundhimselfwishingthathehadbeenlessprecipitateincovertlyalludingtoSirTiglath’slongdesireofassaultandbattery，butbeforehehadtimetowishanythingformorethanhalfaminute，Mr。Sagittariushadguidedhimceremoniouslyacrossthehallandwasturningthehandleofadoorthatwasdecoratedwithblackandscarletpaint。
　　"Here，sir，"hewhispered，"youwillfindMadamesurroundedbytheauthorswhomsheloves，bytheirportraits，theirbiographiesandtheirwritings。Hereshecommuneswiththegreatphilosophers，sir，thepoets，thehistoriansandthehumouristsoftheentireworld，fromtheearliestdaysdowntothisverymoment——inPersiancalf，sir。"
　　HegazedawfullyattheProphet，andgentlyopenedthedoorofthistempleoftheintellect。
　　TheProphetexpectedtofindhimselfusheredintoagiganticchamber，linedfromfloortoceilingwithshelvesthatgroanedbeneaththeirburdenoftheliteratureofgenius。Indeedhehad，infancy，beheldeventhechairsandcouchescoveredwithstacksofvolumes，theveryfloorlitteredwiththechoicestproductionsofthebrainsofthedeadandliving。Hissurprisewas，therefore，verygreatwhen，onpassingthroughthedoor，hebeheldMadameSagittariusreposingatfulllengthuponamaroonsofainasmallapartment，whosebarewalls，wereentirelyinnocentofbook—shelves。Indeedtheonlythingofthesortwhichwasvisiblewasadwarfrevolvingbookcasewhichstoodbesidethesofa，andcontainedsometwentyvolumesbound，asMr。Sagittariushadstated，inPersiancalf，eachofthesevolumesbeingnumberedandadornedwithalabelonwhichwasprintedinlettersofgold，"TheLibraryofFamousLiterature：EditedbyDr。Carter。TastyTit—bitsfromallTimes。"
　　"Madame，sir，inherlibrary，"whisperedMr。Sagittariusbythedoor。
　　"Sheisabsorbed，sir，anddoesnotnoticeus。"
　　IntruthMadameSagittariusdidappeartobeabsorbedinthought，orsomethingelse，forhereyeswereclosed，hermouthwasopen，andasoundofregularbreathingfilledthelittleroom。
　　"Sheisthinkingoutsomeproblem，sir，"continuedMr。Sagittarius。
　　"Sheiscommuningwiththemightydead。Sophronia，mylove，Sophronia，Capricornushasbroughtthegentlemanaccordingtoyourorders。Sophy！
　　Sophy！"
　　Hisfinalutterances，whichweresomewhatstridentcausedMadameSagittariustocomeawayfromhercommunionwiththemightydeadwithaloudejaculationofthenatureofasnortcombinedwithahissingwhistle，tokickupherindoorkidbootsintotheair，turnuponherrightelbow，andpresentacountenancemarkedwithpatchesofredandwhite，andapairofgoggling，andyethazy，eyestotheintrudersuponherintellectualexertions。
　　"Mr。Vivianhascome，Sophronia，accordingtoyourdirections。"
　　Madameutteredasecondsnort，broughtherfeettothefloor，arrangedherfaceinadignifiedexpressionwithonefairhand，breathedheavily，andfinallybowedtotheProphetwithmajesticreserveandremarked，withtheprofessionalclick，——
　　"Iwasimmersedinthoughtanddidnotperceiveyourentrance。/Mensinvictusmanetur/。Beseated，Ibeg。"
　　Herecertainveryelaboratecontortionsandswellingsofherinterestingcountenancesuggestedthatshewasrepressingagood—sizedyawn，andshewasobligedtorearrangeherfeatureswithbothhandsbeforeshecouldcontinue。
　　"Thoughtconquersmatter，asPlauto——IshouldsayasPlatusveryrightlyobesrved。"
　　"Quiteso，"assentedtheProphet，tryingtoliveuptothelibrary，butscarcelysucceeding。
　　"EveninthedaysofthegreatJuvenile，"proceededMadame，"towhosesatiresIowemuch"——hereshelaidalovinghanduponVol。2ofthe"LibraryofFamousLiterature。"——"LongerethedayswhenLordLyttonandhisCaxtonsintroducedustotheblessingsoftheprintingpressthereweredoubtlessladieswho，likemyself，couldforgetthetreacheryandtheliesofmeninsilentcommunionwiththebrainsofthedeparted。FarbettertobeMilton’s’IlPenserosero’thanLordByron’s’L’Allegra！’"
　　Tothispronounciamento，whichwasinterruptedseveraltimesbymorealarmingcontortionsofthebrain—worker’sface，theProphetrepliedwithavagueaffirmative，whileMr。Sagittariuswhispered，——
　　"Herwholeknowledge，sir，comesstraightfromthere"——pointingtowardsthedwarfbookcase。"Shebroughtitontheinstalmentsystem。Dr。
　　Carterhasmadeherwhatsheis！Thatman，sir，deservestobecanonised。Eightguineasandahalf，sir，andsucharesult！"
　　"Sucharesult！"theProphetwhisperedback。
　　BythistimeMadameSagittariushadapparentlyceasedtocommunewiththedead，forherstrikingfaceassumedamorenormalexpressionoffemininebitternessassherealisedwhowasbeforeher，andsheexclaimedsharply，——
　　"Oh，soyou’vecomeatlast，Mr。Vivian！Andpraywhathaveyoutosay？
　　Whatabouttherashes？AndwhatisthisdangerthatthreatensMr。
　　Sagittarius？"
　　"We’dbettertakethedangerfirst，mydear，"saidMr。Sagittarius，withgraveanxiety。
　　"Verywell。Notthatitshouldbethemostimportanttoonewhowearsthe/togavirilibus/！"
　　"True，mylove。Still，totakeitfirstwillcleartheground，Ithink，andsetmemoreatease。Well，sir？"
　　Thusadjured，theProphetresolvedtomakeacleanbreastofSirTiglath’sdeclarations，andhethereforereplied，——
　　"IthoughtitonlyrighttowiretoyouasIdid，havinglearntthatthereisinLondonagentleman，aneminentman，whohasforfive—and—
　　fortyyearsbeenseekingforMalkielwiththeavowedintentionof——
　　of——"
　　"Ohwhat，sir，ofwhat？"saidMr。Sagittariuswithtremblinglips。
　　"Ofdoinghimviolence，"repliedtheProphet，impressively。
　　"Whatisthegent’sname？"saidMr。Sagittarius，ingreatagitation。
　　"Hisname！/Nomenvolens/！"addedMadame。
　　"That，"saidtheProphet，"Iprefernottosayatpresent。"
　　"Butwhyshouldhedesireto——？"
　　"Becauseyouareaprophet。"
　　"There，Jupiter！"criedMadame，withflushedspitefulness。"WhathaveI
　　alwayssaid！Allprophetsarewhattheycalloutsiders——/horsd’oeuvres/，neithermorenorless。"
　　"Iknow，mylove，Iknow。Buthowshouldthisgentrecognisemeforaprophet？I’msuremydress，mymanner，arethoseofanoutsidebroker，asIhaveoftentoldyou，Sophy。How——"
　　"Thegentlemanhasnotyetrecognisedyou，"saidtheProphet。"AtthemomenthebelievesyoutobeanAmericansyndicate。"
　　"Thankmercy！"ejaculatedMr。Sagittarius。
　　"Butonecannevertell，"addedtheProphet。"Hemightfindout。"
　　"Nonsense！"criedMadameatthisjuncture。"WemightquitewellhavegonetothesquareyesterdayasIalwayssuspected。Butyouaresotimid，Jupiter。/TimeoDan——Dan/——well，/Dan/somethingorother，asVirgilsotrulysays。"
　　"Cautious，Sophronia，onlycautious，foryourandthechildren’ssakes！"
　　"Icallamanwho’safraidevenwhenhe’spassingeverywhereasanAmericansyndicateacowardlycustard，"rejoinedMadame，whoappearedtobesufferingunderthatpeculiarformofflushedirritabilitywhichisapttofollowonheavythought，indulgedintoexcessinarecumbentpositionduringthedaytime。"There，that’ssettled。Sonowletusgettobusiness。Kindlyhandmeyourprophecyoflastnight，Mr。Vivian。"
　　TheProphetdrewfromabreastpocketasheetortwoofnotepaper，onwhichhehaddotteddown，inpropheticform，theeventsofthenightbefore。Madamereceiveditandcontinued，——
　　"Beforeperusingthisreport，Mr。Vivian，Ishouldwishtobemadeacquaintedwiththoseparticulars。"
　　"Whichones？"saidtheProphet。
　　"Ofyourgrandmother’scareer。"
　　"Oh，I——"
　　"Letustaketheminorder，please，andproceed/parripasso/。Whenwastheoldladyremovedfromthebottle？"
　　"Never，"repliedtheProphet，firmly。"Never。"
　　AnexpressionofincredulousamazementdecoratedtheobstreperousfeaturesofMadame。
　　"Doyoumeantotellme，Mr。Vivian，thatshesucksitstill？"sheinquired。
　　"ImeanwhatIsay，thatshehasneverbeenremovedfromit，"returnedtheProphet，withenergy。
　　"Well，sir，shemustbeverypartialtomilkandIndianrubber，verypartialindeed！"saidMr。Sagittarius。"Goon，mydarling。"
　　"Herfirsttooth，Mr。Vivian——whendidshecutit？"
　　"Shehasnoidea。"
　　Madamebegantolookdecidedlygrim。
　　"Dateofshort—coating？"sherappedout。
　　"Therewasnodate。Sheneverworeashort—coat。"
　　"Doyoudesiremetobelieve，Mr。Vivian，thattheoldladyhasbeengoingaboutinlongclotheseversinceshewasborn？"inquiredMadame，withincreduloussarcasm。
　　"MostcertainlyIdo，"repliedtheProphet。
　　"Thenhowdoesshegetalong，pray？Come！Come！"
　　"Shehasalwayswornlongclothes，"criedtheProphet，boldlystandingupforhisbelovedrelative，"andalwayswill。Youcantakethatfromme，MadameSagittarius。Iknowmygrandmother，andIamreadytopledgemyhonourtoit。"
　　"Oh，verywell。Shemustbeaveryremarkablelady。That’sallIcansay。Whendidsheputherhairup？"
　　"Never。Shehasneverputitup。"
　　"Shehasneverputherhairup！"
　　"No，never。"
　　"Youmeantosaythatyourgrandmothergoesaboutinlongclotheswithherhairdowninthecentraldistricts？"criedMadameinblankamazement。
　　"Shehasneverputherhairup，"answeredtheProphet，withalmostobstinatedetermination。
　　"Oh，well——ifsheprefers！ButIwonderwhatthepoliceareabout！"
　　retortedMadame。"Andnowtherashes？"
　　"Therearenone。"
　　ButatthisMadame’stemper——alreadysomewhatupsetbyherprolongedcommunionwiththemightydead——showedsymptomsofgivingwayaltogether。
　　"Rubbish，Mr。Vivian！"shesaid，clickingloudlyandpassingwithanalmostupheavingjerktoherupperregister！"I’mamotherandwasonceachild。Rubbish！Imustinsistuponknowingthenumberoftherashes。"
　　"Iassureyoutherearenone。"
　　"D’youwishmetobelievethattheoldladyhasgoneaboutallherlifeintheBerkeleySquareinlongclothesandherhairdown，withherlipstothebottleandneverhadarash？Doyouwishmetobelievethat，Mr。
　　Vivian？"
　　"Yes，sir，doyouwishMadame，aladyofdeepeducation，sir，tobelievethat？"criedMr。Sagittarius。
　　"IcanonlyadheretowhatIhavesaid，"answeredtheProphet。"Mygrandmotherhasneverbeenremovedfromthebottle，hasneverwornashortcoat，hasneverputherhairupandhasneverhadanepidemicinBerkeleySquare。"
　　"ThenallIcansayisthatshe’sanunnaturaloldlady，"criedMadame，withobvioustemper，tossingherheadandkickingoutthekidboots，asifseizedwiththesuddendesiretousethemuponahumanfootball。
　　"Andthere’snotmanylikeher。"
　　"Thereisnoonelikeher，nooneatall，"saidtheProphetwithfervour。
　　"SoIshouldsuppose，"criedMadame，forgettingtheotherquestionsastothedayofmarriage，etc。，inthevexationofthemoment。"ShemustcertainlybethebirdofwhomPhoenixwrotethatrosefromashesinthedaysoftheclassics。/Rarumavis/indeed！Eh，Jupiter？"
　　"Veryrarum，mydear，veryindeed！"respondedherhusband，withimitativesarcasm。"Anavisindeed，notadoubtofit。"
　　"DeQueechyshouldhaveknownher，"continuedMadame。"Healwayslovedeverythingoutofthecommon。Well，andnowfortheprophecy。Whatisallthis，Mr。Vivian？"
　　"Theresultoflastnight’sobservation，"saidtheProphet。
　　"Doyoucallthatacycloidalcurve？"askedMadame，withacontraltolaughthatshookthelibrary。"Look，Jupiter！"
　　Mr。Sagittariusglancedoverhiswife’sheavingshoulder。
　　"Verypoor，mydear，veryirregularindeed。"
　　"It’sthebestIcoulddo，"saidtheProphet，stillpolitely。
　　"Idaresay，"repliedMr。Sagittarius。"Idaresay。Where’syourstar—
　　map？"
　　"I’mafraidIdon’tknow，"answeredtheProphet。"Ileftitinthepomade。"
　　"Thepomade！"
　　"Yes，thebutler’sownspecialpomade，anditseemstohavedisappeared。"
　　"Verycareless，verycarelessindeed。Let’ssee——prophecyfirst，thenhowarrivedat。’Grandmotherapparentlythreatenedwithsomedangeratnightinimmediatefuture。Greatturmoilinthehouseduringdarkhours。’H’m！’Somestranger，orstrangers，comingintoherlifeandcausinggreattroubleandconfusion，almostresultingindespair，andperhapsactuallyinducingillness。’H’m！H’m！Wedidn’tarriveatanyofthisbyourobservations，didwe，Sophronia？"
　　"Decidedlynot，"snappedMadame，haughtily。
　　"Andnowlet’sseehowarrivedat。H’m！H’m！Grandmother——ingressofCrab——conjunctionofScorpiowithSerpens——moonineleventhhouse。Yes，that’sso。JupiterintrinewithSaturn——What’sthis？’Crabdressedimpliesdanger——undressedCrabmuchsafer——attemptedinterventionfailure——she’sinanicestatenow——ittriedtokeepherfromit，butshewasdrawnrighttoit。’Righttowhat？"
　　"TheCrab？"
　　"Ofcourseshewasdrawntoit。ShedependsontheCrabthesenights。
　　Butwhatdoestherestmean？"
　　"TheCrabwasdressed。"
　　"Dressed——whatin？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidtheProphet。"Itdidn抰tellme。"
　　Mr。SagittariusandMadameexchangedglances。
　　"Explainyourself，Mr。Vivian，Ibeg，"criedMadameinasomewhatexcitedmanner。"HowcouldtheCrabbedressed？"
　　"Ihavewondered，"saidtheProphet，gazingatthecouplebeforehimwithshiningeyes。"Butitwasdressedlastnight，andthatmadeitexceptionallydangerousinsomeway。Somethingseemedtotellmeso。
　　Somethingdidtellmeso。"
　　"Whattoldyou？"inquiredMadame，withmoreexcitementandacertainrespectwhichhadbeenquiteabsentfromhermannerbefore。
　　"Somethingthatcameinthenight。Idon’tknowwhatitwas。Lightflashedfromit。"
　　"Itsoundslikeasortofcomet，mydarling，"saidMr。Sagittarius，considerablyperturbed。"Wedidn’tobservethattheCrabwasspeciallydressed，didwe？"
　　"Ithadnothingonatallwhenwesawit，"saidMadamewithgrowingagitation。"Butwhateverwasthiscometthatflashedlight？That’swhatIwanttogetat。"
　　"ItwasadarkthingthattoldmetheCrabwasdressed，thatmygrandmotherhadbeenwithitandthatitsinfluencewasinimicaltoher。"
　　"Adarkthing！That’snotacomet！"saidMr。Sagittarius。
　　"Itvanishedwithaflashoflightintothesquare。"
　　"Atwhattimedidyouobserveit，sir？"askedMr。Sagittarius，whileMadameleanedforward，gazingwithgogglingeyesattheProphet。
　　"Atexactlyhalf—pastone。"
　　"Diditstaylong？"
　　"Afewminutesonly——butitmadeanimpressionuponmethatIcanneverforget。"
　　IthadapparentlyalsomadeaverygreatimpressionuponMr。andMadameSagittarius，whoremainedforsomesecondsstaringfixedlyattheProphetwithoututteringaword。AtlastMr。SagittariusturnedtoMadameandsaidinavoicethatshookwithseriousness，——
　　"Canitbe，Sophronia，thatprophetsoughttoliveinthecentraldistricts？CanitreallybethatthenearertheyaretotheCircus，andeventotheStores——"
　　"/Obeatusilla/！"interjectedMadameuponthepinionsofasigh。
　　"Yes，Sophronia，theStores，themoreclearlyistheknowledgeofthefuturevouchsafedtothem？Ifitshouldprovetobeso！"
　　MadamestaredagainupontheProphetwithafixityandstrainedinquirywhichmadehimshiftinhisseat。
　　"Ifitshould！"sherepeated，uponthelowestnoteofherlowerregister，whichsounded，atthatsolemnmoment，likethekeynoteofadreamer。Then，withasuddenchangeofmanner，shecriedsharply，——
　　"Jupiter，youmustaccompanythisgentlemanbacktothesquareto—day。"
　　TheProphetstarted。SodidMr。Sagittarius。
　　"But——"theycriedsimultaneously。
　　"Andyoumustsharehisnightwatch。"
　　"But，mydarling——"
　　"OrIwill，"criedMadame。"Whichisittobe？"
　　"Mr。Sagittarius！"exclaimedtheProphet。
　　"Verywell，"saidMadame。"Letminebethewearytasktowaitandwatchathome。/Fatafeminus/。ThemysteryofthedressedCrabmustbeunveiled。Shouldthismysteriousvisitantagainvouchsafeapropheticmessage，apracticalprophetmustbeathandtoreceiveit。Jupiter，thisgentlemanisnotpractical。Thisreport"——shestruckthepaperonwhichtheProphethaddotteddownhisnotes——"isbadlywritten。ThecycloidalcurvemighthavebeenmadebyaBoardSchoolchild。Thedeductionsdrawn——/deductioadabsurdibus/——revealnotalent，noneoftheprophetic/feudejoie/atall。ButthismysteryofthedressedCrabmaymeanmuch。Jupiter，youwillaccompanythisgentlemanbacktoLondonandyouwillassisthimpracticallyatthetelescopeto—night。"
　　"Verywell，mylove。Iwillriskthepersonaldanger，foryourandthechildren’s——"
　　"But——butreally——"begantheProphet。"Iamverysorry，but——"
　　"Madamehasspoken，sir，"saidMr。Sagittarius，verysolemnly。
　　"Iknowshehas。But——yes，Iknowtherearenobutsinyourdictionary，Madame，Iknowtherearen’t——butIhaveanengagementto—nightthatI
　　havesworn——"
　　"Whatengagement，sir？"saidMr。Sagittarius，sternly。"Youhavesworntous。Youmustknowthat。"
　　"Ihavesworntoalmosteveryone，"criedthedistractedProphet。"Butthisswear——Imeanthisoathmustbekeptbeforeyours。"
　　"Beforeours，sir？"
　　"Itcomesonbeforeeleven。Ikeepmyoathtoyouafterit。Imanagethetwo，don’tyousee？"
　　"Hewillseethatyoumanagethetwo，Mr。Vivian，Icanassureyou，"
　　saidMadame，viciously。"Won’tyou，Jupiter？"
　　"Certainly，mydear。Whatistheoath，sir，thatyouplacebeforeours？"
　　"AnoathtoMissMinerva，"returnedtheProphet，beginningtofeelreckless，firmintheconvictionthatitwashenceforthhisdestinytobetheverysportofFate。
　　"Ha！"criedMr。Sagittarius。"Thedoublelife！"
　　"WhoisMissMinerva，pray？"saidMadame，shootingaverypenetratingglanceuponherhusband。
　　"Yourhusbandcantellyouthat，"repliedtheProphet，bynomeanswithoutguile。
　　"Jupiter，"criedMadame，"whatisthemeaningofthis？Whoisthisperson？"
　　Mr。Sagittariuslookedexceedinglyuncomfortable。
　　"Mydear，"hebegan，"sheisayoungfe——thatis，ayoungwo——Ishouldsay——"
　　"Afe！Awo！Explainyourself，Jupiter！"
　　"Sheisalady，mylove。"
　　"Alady！DoIknowher？"
　　"Ibelievenot，mydear。"
　　"Anddoyou？"
　　"No，mydarling。Thatis——thatis——"
　　"Yes，Isuppose！"saidMadame，withaveryviolentclick。
　　"Icanhardlysay，Sophronia，that，Ican’tindeed。Ihavemether，byaccident，quitebyaccidentIassureyou，onceortwice。"
　　"Where？"
　　"AtJellybrand’s。ShegoestheretofetchlettersonthesamedayasI
　　do。"
　　Madame’sveryintellectualbrowwasover—cloudedwithstorm。SheturnedupontheProphet。
　　"Andwhatofthisperson，Mr。Vivian？"shecried。"Whatofherandthisoath？"
　　TheProphet，whowassecretlyverydelightedwiththediversionhehadsocleverlycreated，hastenedtoreply，——
　　"Ihavepromisedmostsolemnlytomeetherto—nightatahouseintheZoologicalGardens！"
　　"AhouseintheZoologicalGardens！"
　　"ImeanattheZoologicalHouse，theresidenceofMrs。VaneBridgeman，whois——"
　　But，atthispointinhisexplanation，theProphetwasinterruptedbybothhishearers。
　　"TheJellybrandone！"criedMr。Sagittarius。
　　"Theprophets’patron！"vociferatedMadame。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　THEPROPHETRETURNSFROMTHEMOUSEWITHTWOOLDANDVALUEDFRIENDS
　　AttheseexclamationstheProphetstartedinsomesurprise。
　　"Youknowthislady？"heasked。
　　"Byrepute，sir，"repliedMr。Sagittarius。
　　"Whodoesnot？"criedMadame。"Shebuiltthe’Prophets’Rest’atBirchington。"
　　"AndtheMediums’AlmshousesatSunnington。"
　　"Andthe’Palmists’Retreat’atMillabyBay。"
　　"Andthe——"
　　"Iseeyouknowallabouther，"interposedtheProphet。"Well，sheisgivingareceptionto—nightatZoologicalHouseandIhavesworntobethere。ButIshallgethomebyeleven。Youwillunderstand，however，thatIcannothavethepleasureofentertainingMr。Sagittariusduringtheeveningundermyownroof。Iregretthisextremely，butyouseeitisunavoidable。"
　　TotheProphet’sgreatsurprisethislucidexplanationwasreceivedbyhishearerswithastrangesilenceandacombinedmeditative，andevenmoony，staringwhichwastohiminexplicable。BothMadameandMr。
　　Sagittariusseemedsuddenlyimmersedincontemplation。Theybegan，hethought，tolooklikeBuddhists，orlikethosedevotedpersonswho，inthetimesofthedesertmonks，remainedforlongperiodsposeduponpillowsinsandywastesmusinguponEternity。Atfirst，ashemettheirfixedeyes，hefanciedthattheywere，perhaps，fallingintoatrance，butpresentlytheconvictionseizedhimthattheymustbe，onthecontrary，busilythinkingoutsomeproblem。Hehopedferventlythathedidnotformpartofit。AtlengththequiveringsilencewasbrokenbyMr。Sagittarius。
　　"ImightaccompanyyoutoMrs。Bridgeman’s，sir，"hesaidtotheProphet。"MightInot，Sophronia？"
　　"Oh，but——"begantheProphet，veryhastily。
　　"Theladyhasfrequentlypressedmetoacceptofherhospitality。"
　　"Indeed！"