Mrs。Merilliaandthisladylookedupwhenthedooropened，andLadyJuliapausedmidwayinasentence，ofwhichtheseweretheopeningwords，——
　　"Theolddukewouldn’tmakeitover，andsopoorLoftushastopaynearlyamilliontotheChancelloroftheExcheq——"
　　"Howd’youdo，LadyJulia？Grannie，Ihavepersuadedmyfriends，Mr。
　　andMadameSagittarius，tojoinusatdinner。SirTiglathButtismostanxioustomeetMr。Sagittarius，whoisagreatastronomer。Letme——
　　MadameSagittarius，Mrs。Merillia——Mr。Sagittarius——Mrs。Merillia，mygrandmother——LadyJuliaPostlethwaite。"
　　Mrs。Merillia，althoughtakencompletelybysurprise，andfullyconsciousthathergrandsonhadcommittedanoutrageinturninganarrangedandintimatequartettewithoutpermissionintoadisorganisedsextette，bowedwithself—possessedgraciousness，andindicatedachairtoMadame，whoseatedherselfinitwiththatsortofdefensiveandostentatiousmajestywhichisoftensupposedbyill—bredpeopletobeaperfectsocietymanner。Mr。Sagittariusremainedstandinginhisenormoussuit，turningouthisfeet，overwhichMr。Ferdinand’strousersrippledinbroadclothwaves，inthefirstposition。Aslightpauseensued，duringwhichtheProphetwasuncomfortablyaffectedbythebehaviourofMadame，whogazedattheveryneatandsuperiorwigwornbyMrs。Merillia，andatthatlady’scharmingsilvergreydamaskgown，inamannerthatsuggestedamazementtemperedwithindignation，herinstantexpressionofthesetwosentimentsbeingonlyheldincheckbyacertainreverencewhichwasdoubtlessinspiredbytheprettyroom，thethickcarpet，theancestralpicturesuponthewalls，andtheloftybearingofLadyJuliaPostlethwaite，whocouldscarcelyconcealherverynaturalsurpriseattheextraordinaryappearanceofMr。
　　Sagittarius。AstoMrs。Merillia，althoughshewas，inreality，nearfaintingwithwonderathergrandson’sescapade，shepreservedanexpressionofgraciousbenignity，anddidnotallowamotionofhereyelidsoraflutterofherfantobetrayheremotionatfindingherselftheunpreparedhostessofsuchunusualguests。TheProphetbrokethesilencebysaying，inavoicethatcrackedwithagitation，——
　　"Itrust——Isincerelytrustthatweshallhaveaclementspringthisyear。"
　　LadyJulia，atwhomhehadlookedwhileutteringthisoriginaldesire，wasabouttoreplywhenMadameutteredastentorianclickandinterposed。
　　"Inthespringtheyoungman’sfancylightlyturnstothoughtsoflove，"sheremarked，withthefictitiouseaseofprofoundill—breeding。
　　Noonedaredtodisputetheportentousstatement，andsheresumedmajestically，——
　　"TheMouseisdeliciousinspring。"
　　Therewasanotherdeadsilence，andMadame，turningwithpatronisingandheavyaffabilitytowardsLadyJulia，added，——
　　"YourladyshipdoubtlesslovestheMouse——/MusPulcherrimo/——inspringasIdo？"
　　TheProphetfeltasifhewerebeingprickedbythousandsofred—hotneedles，andtheperspirationburstoutinbeadsuponhisforehead。
　　"Iamnotspeciallyfondofmiceinspring，orindeedatanyseason，"
　　repliedLadyJulia，withherslight，butverydistinctandbell—like，cough。
　　"IsaidtheMouse，yourladyship，"returnedMadame，feedinguponthistitledacquaintancewithherbulgingblackeyes，andpushingthekidbootswelloutfromunderherbrownskirt。"IobservedthattheMousewaspeculiarlydeliciousintheseasonoflove。"
　　"Nomouseattractsme，"saidLadyJulia，coughingagainandraisingherfineeyebrowsslightly。"Ishouldmuchprefertopassthespringwithoutthecompanionshipofanymousewhatever。"
　　BothMadameandMr。Sagittariusopenedtheirlipstoreply，butbeforetheycouldejectasinglewordthedoorwasopenedbyMr。Ferdinand，whoannounced，——
　　"SirTiglathButt。"
　　Mr。Sagittariusstartedviolentlyandupsetavaseofroses，theastronomerrolledintotheroomwithaveryredface，andMr。Ferdinandadded，——
　　"Dinnerisserved。"
　　Mrs。MerilliashookhandswithSirTiglathandglanceddespairinglyaroundher。Itwassufficientlyobviousthatshewasconsideringhowtoarrangetheprocessiontothedining—room。
　　"Hennessey，"shebegan，"willyoutakeLadyJulia？SirTiglath，willyou"——shepaused，buttherewasnohelpforit，shewasobligedtocontinue——"takeMrs。Sagittarius？Letmeintroduceyou，SirTiglathButt——Mrs。Sagittarius。Mr。Sagittarius，willyoutake——"
　　"Mr。Sagittarius！"roaredSirTiglath。"Whereishe？"
　　ThatgentlemangatheredMr。Ferdinand’strousersupinbothhandsandpreparedforinstantaneousflight。
　　"Whereishe？"bellowedSirTiglath，wheelingroundwithamazingrapidityforsofataman。"Ha！"
　　HehadviewedMr。Sagittarius，who，graspingMr。Ferdinand’ssuitinpleats，duckedhisheadlikeonewishingtobebeforehandwithviolenceandsetthespatstowardsthedoor。SirTiglathadvanceduponhim。
　　"TheoldastronomerhasheardthenameofSagittarius，"hevociferated。
　　"Hehasbeeninformedthat——"
　　"It’snottrue，sir，"criedMr。Sagittarius，palewithterror。"Itisnottrue。Idenyit。IamanAmeri——ImeanIamnottheAmericansyndicate——youareinerror，inabsoluteerror。Iswearit。Itaketheheavenstowitness。"
　　AtthisremarkableandcomprehensivestatementMrs。MerilliaandLadyJulialookedateachotherinelegantamazement。
　　"Whatdoyoumean，sir？"exclaimedSirTiglath。"Andwhydoyouinsultthesacredheavens，youanastronomer！"
　　"Iamnotanastronomer，"criedMr。Sagittarius，cringinginthevoluminouswaistcoatofMr。Ferdinand。"Iamanoutsidebroker。Iswearit。Mydress，mymannerproclaimthefact。Sophronia，tellthegentlemanthatIamanoutsidebrokerandthatallMargatehasrecognisedmeassuch。"
　　"Myhusbandstatesthefact，"saidMadame，inresponsetothisimpassionedappeal。"Myhusbandbrokesoutside，andhasdoneforthelasttwentyyears。Collectyourself，Jupiter。Praydonotdoffyour/togavirilibus/inthepresenceofladies！"
　　TheterrorofMr。Sagittariuswassuch，however，thatitisverydoubtfulwhetherhewouldnothaveproceededthustodisrobehadnottheProphet，rendereddesperatebytheturnofevents，abruptlyleapedbetweenSirTiglathandhisoldandvaluedfriendand，gatheringtheoutragedLadyJuliaunderhisarm，exclaimed，——
　　"Pray，pray——wecandiscussthismattermorecomfortablyatdinner。
　　Permitme，LadyJulia。SirTiglath，ifyouwillkindlygiveyourarmtoMadameSagittarius。Mr。Sagittarius，mygrandmother。"
　　Sosaying，hemadeasortofflankmovement，soadroitlyconceivedandcarriedoutthat，inthetwinklingofaneye，hehaddrivenSirTiglathtothesideofMadameandhustledMr。SagittariusintotheimmediateneighbourhoodofMrs。Merillia。Norhadmorethantwominuteselapsedbeforethewholepartyfoundthemselves——theyscarceknewhow——arrangedaroundthediningtableandbeingservedwithclearsoupbyMr。
　　FerdinandandtheastoundedGustavus，whosenaturallyroundeyesbegantotakeanalmostoblongformasheattendedtothewantsofMrs。
　　Merillia’sveryunfamiliarguests，whoseoutlyingdemeanourandarchitecturalmannersevidentlyfilledhimwiththemostpoignantdismay。
　　AstoMrs。MerilliaandLadyJulia，theforegoingscenehadsoreducedthemthattheywerealmostbetrayedintosomehystericaldeparturefromtherulesofexquisitegoodbreedingwhichtheyhadunconsciouslyobservedfromthecradle。Indeed，thelatter，stronginthebeliefthatthetermsoutsidebrokerandravingmaniacwereinterchangeable，twicedroppedherspoonintohersoup—platebeforeshecouldsucceedinliftingittohermouth，andwasunabletopreventherselffromwhisperingtotheProphet，——
　　"Pray，Mr。Vivian，tellmetheworst——isheabsolutelydangerous？"
　　"No，no，"whisperedbacktheProphet，reassuringly。"It’sallhisplay。"
　　"Play！"murmuredLadyJulia，glancingatMr。Sagittarius，whowasholdingbacktherightsleeveofMr。Ferdinand’scoatwithhislefthandinordertohavethefreeuseofhisdinnerlimb。
　　"Yes，"whisperedtheProphet。"He’sthemostharmless，innocentcreature。Achildmightstrokehim。Imeanhewouldn’thurtachild。"
　　"Yes，butwearenotchildren，"saidLadyJulia，stillingreatapprehension。
　　MeanwhileSirTiglath，concernedwithhisdinner，tooknoheedofMr。
　　Sagittariusforthemoment，andthatgentleman，slightlyreassured，endeavouredtomakehimselfagreeabletoMrs。Merillia。
　　"Youareverypleasantlysituatedhere，ma’am，"hebegan。
　　Mrs。Merilliathoughthemeantbecauseshewasathiselbow，andansweredpolitely，——
　　"Yes，verypleasantlysituated。"
　　"ItisindeedablessingtobewithinsucheasyreachoftheStores，"
　　addedMr。Sagittarius，finishinghissoup，andpermittingMr。
　　Ferdinand’ssleevestoflowdownoncemoreoverhishands。
　　"TheStores！"saidMrs。Merillia。
　　"/Ofestumdiesbeatusilla/！"ejaculatedMadame，assuminganexpressionofprofoundandalmostpassionatesentiment。"Happyindeedthegoodladywhodwellsinthecentraldistricts！"
　　Shepermittedagiganticsightoleaveherbosomandtowanderfreelyamongthelocksofthoseatthetable。SirTiglath，who，onbeingassaultedbyherlearning，hadshownmomentarysymptomsofapoplexy，nowgavealoudgrunt，whiletheProphet，perceivingthathisgrandmotherandLadyJuliawerequiteunequaltotheoccasion，hastilyreplied，——
　　"Yes，BerkeleySquareisveryconvenientinmayways。"
　　"Ah！"saidMr。Sagittarius，keepingawaryeyeonSirTiglathandre—
　　addressinghimselftoMrs。Merillia，"theBerkeleySquare。ButifyoulivedintheonebehindKimmins’sMews，itwouldbequiteanotherpairofboots，woulditnot，ma’am？"
　　LadyJulia，whowassittingnexttoMr。Sagittarius，shiftedherchairnearertotheProphet，andwhispered，"I’msureheisdangerous，Mr。
　　Vivian！"whileMrs。Merillia，inthegreatestperplexity，replied，——
　　"TheonebehindMr。Kimmins’sMews？"
　　"Ay，overagainstBrigwell’sBuildings，justbeyondthePauperLunaticAsylum。"
　　LadyJuliaturnedpale。
　　"Idaresay，"answeredMrs。Merillia，bravely。"ButIamnotacquaintedwiththeneighbourhoodyoumention。"
　　"YouknowtheMouse？"
　　AtthisabruptreturntothesubjectofmiceLadyJuliabecamereallyterrified。
　　"Befrankwithme，Mr。Vivian，"shewhisperedtotheProphet，undercoverofboiledsalmon；"ishearatcatcher？"
　　"GoodHeavens，no！"whisperedbacktheProphet。"He’s——he’squitethecontrary。"
　　"But——"
　　"Whatmouse？"saidMrs。Merillia，endeavouringtoseempleasantlyatease，thoughshe，too，wasbeginningtofeelacertainamountofalarmatthesestrangebeings’persistentdiscussionoftheinhabitantsofthewainscot。"Doyoualludetoanyspecialmouse？"
　　"Ido，ma’am。IalludetotheMousethathashelpedtomakeMadameandselfwhatweare。"
　　SirTiglathbegantorollaboutinhischairpreparatorytosomedeliverance，andMrs。Merillia，castingasomewhatagitatedglanceathergrandson，answered，——
　　"Really。Ididnotknowthatanythingsosmallcouldhavesomuchinfluence。"
　　"Itmaybesmall，ma’am，"saidMr。Sagittarius。"Buttoasensitivenatureitoftenseemsgigantic。"
　　"Youmeanatnight，Isuppose？Doesitdisturbyouverymuch？"
　　"Wehearit，ma’am，butitlullsustorest。"
　　"Indeed。Thatisveryfortunate。Ifearitmightkeepmeawake。"
　　"Sowethoughtatfirst。Butnowweshouldmissit。Shouldwenot，Sophronia？"
　　"Doubtless，"repliedMadame，arranginganapkincarefullyoverherfichu，anddealingrigorouslywithsomemayonnaisesauce。"Ithasbeenourperpetualcompanionformanyyears，/musamicushumanogeneri/。"
　　SirTiglathswelled，andMrs。Merilliaresponded，——
　　"Isee，apet。Isitwhite？"
　　"No，ma’am，"returnedMr。Sagittarius，"itisarich，chocolatebrownexceptonwetdays。Thenittakesonthehueofaleadpencil。"
　　"Indeed！"saidMrs。Merillia，tryingnoblytoremainsocial。"Howverycurious！"
　　"Weworshipitinsummer，"continuedMr。Sagittarius。"Inthesultryseasonitsoothesandcalmsus。"
　　"Thenitisquitetame？"
　　"Atthattimeofyear，butinwinternightsitissometimesalmostwild。"
　　"Ah，Idaresay。Theyoftenare，Iknow。"
　　"Thearchitectsandtheirwivesloveitaswedo。"
　　"Dothey？Howveryfortunate！"
　　"Weshouldhatetomissitevenforamoment。"
　　"Oh，Mr。Vivian！"whisperedLadyJulia，"thisisdreadful。"I’malmostsurehe’sbroughtitwithhim。"
　　"No，no。It’snotalive。"
　　"Adeadmouse！"
　　"It’sariver。"
　　"Ariver！Buthesaiditwasamouse。"
　　"It’sboth。Mr。Sagittarius，"addedtheProphet，inaloudanddesperatetoneofvoice，"you’llfindthischampagnequitedry。Youneedn’tbeafraidofit。"
　　"Didyougetitfrombytherabbitshop，sir？"askedMr。Sagittarius，liftinghisglass。"Iorderedadozenin，onlythedaybeforeyesterday。"
　　LadyJuliabegantotremble。
　　"Isee，"shewhisperedtotheProphet。"Hismaniaisaboutanimals。"
　　MeanwhiletheProphethadmadeawarningfaceatMr。Sagittarius，whosuddenlyrememberedhisdangerandsubsided，glancinguneasilyatSirTiglath，whoseintentionofaddressinghimhadbeenmomentarilyinterferedwithbyasweetbreadmaskedinapureeofspinach。
　　MadameSagittarius，assistedbyfoodanddrychampagne，wasnow——astheProphetperceivedwithhorror——beginningtofeelquiteatherease。Sheprotrudedherelbows，satmoreextensivelyinherchair，rolledherprominenteyesabouttheroomasoneaccustomedtoherstate，andsaid，withcondescension，toLadyJulia，——
　　"IsyourladyshiptomakeoneofthepartyattheZoologicalGardensto—night？"
　　LadyJulia，whonowbegantosupposethatMr。Sagittarius’scrazypassionforanimalswassharedbyhiswife，gaspedandanswered，——
　　"AreyougoingtotheZoologicalGardens？"
　　"Yes，toanassembly。Itshouldbeverypleasant。Doyoumakeone？"
　　"IregretthatIamnotinvited，"saidLadyJulia，ratherstiffly。
　　Madamebridled，undertheimpressionthatshewasscoringoffamemberofthearistocracy。
　　"Indeed，"sheremarked，withaclick。"YetIpresumethatyourladyshipisnotinsensibletothecharmsofroutandcollation？"
　　"Ibegyourpardon？"saidLadyJulia，beginningtolooklikeanimagemadeofcastiron。
　　"Iimaginethatthesocialwhirlfindsinyourladyshipawillingacolyte？"
　　"Oh，no。Igooutverylittle。"
　　"Indeed，"saidMadame，withsomecontempt。"ThenyoudonotfrequentthePalace？"
　　"ThePalace！DoyoumeantheCrystalPalace？"
　　"OfBuckingham？Youarenotan/amicascuriae/？"
　　"IfearIdon’tcatchyourmeaning。"
　　"DoesnotyourladyshipcomprehendtheLatintongue？"
　　"Certainlynot，"saidLadyJulia，whowasborninanagewhenitwasconsideredhighlyimproperforayoungfemaletohaveanydealingswiththeancients。"Certainlynot。"
　　"Dearme！"saidMadame，withpityingamazement。"Youhearherladyship，Jupiter？"
　　"Ido，myangel。Madameisaladyofdeepeducation，ma’am，"saidMr。
　　Sagittarius，turningtoMrs。Merillia，whohadbeenlisteningtotheforegoingcross—examinationwithperpetually—increasinghorror。
　　"NodecentfemaleshouldunderstandGreekorLatin，"roaredSirTiglathatthispoint。"Ifshedoesshe’ssuretoreadagreatdealthatshe’snobusinesstoknowanythingabout。"
　　AtthischallengeMadame’sbulgingbrowwasovercastwitharedcloud。
　　"Ibegtodisagree，sir，"sheexclaimed。"InmyopiniontheGeorgicsofHoratius，Homer’sIdylsandthesatiresofthegreatJuvenile——"
　　"Thegreatwhat？"bellowedSirTiglath。
　　"ThegreatJuvenile，sir。"
　　"Thereneverwasagreatjuvenile，ma’am。Talentmustbemellowbeforeitisworthtasting，whateverthemodernwhipper—snappermaysay。Thereneverwas，andthereneverwillbe，agreatjuvenile——therecanonlybeajuvenilepreparingtobegreat。"
　　"Really，sir。"
　　"Iaffirmit，madam。AndasyouseemsomightyfondofLatin，rememberwhatHoracesays——/Quicupitopatamcursucontingeremetam，Multatulitfecitquepuer，sudavitetalsit/。Oh—h—h—h！"
　　AndSirTiglathflunghimselfbackinhischair，puffingouthisenormouscheeksandwagginghisgiganticheadatMadamewho，foronceinherlife，seemedentirelyataloss，andunabletocalltoherassistanceasingleshredoflearningfromthelibraryofDr。Carter。
　　HavingatlastemergedfromhisEpicureansilence，theastronomernowproceededtotakethefloor。Satisfiedthathehadlaidapresumingfemalelow，heswunground，asifonapivot，towhereMr。Sagittariuswassittinginthegreatestagitation，androared，——
　　"Andnow，sirwhatisallthisaboutyourbeinganoutsidebroker？I
　　wasdistinctlyinformedbythisgentlemanonlyanightortwoagothatyouwereadistinguishedastronomer。"
　　"Iambetrayed！"criedMr。Sagittarius，droppingtheknifeandforkwhichhehadjustpickedupforthedissectionofalobstercroquette。
　　"Isaidthiswasatrap。Isaiditwasarat—trapfromthefirst。"
　　"Iknewhemustbearatcatcher，"whisperedLadyJuliatotheProphet，whowasabouttorisefromhisseatandendeavourtocalmhisguest。"I
　　wascertainnoonebutaratcatchercouldtalkinsuchamanner。"
　　"Heisnotindeed！Mr。Sagittarius，praysitdown！Youarealarmingmygrandmother。"
　　"Ican’thelpthat，sir。Iamnotgoingtosithere，sir，andbeslain。"
　　"Tsh！Tsh！ImerelyinformedSirTiglaththeothereveningthatwhatMissMinervahadtoldhimaboutyouwastrue。"
　　"MissMinerva！"criedMadame，glancingatherhusbandinamostterriblemanner。"MissMinerva！"
　　"LadyEnidThistle，Imean，"criedtheProphet，mentallycursingthedaywhenhewasborn。
　　"Who’sthat？"exclaimedMadame，beginningtolookalmostexactlylikeMedusa。
　　"AyoungfemalewhoinformedtheoldastronomerthatyourhusbandandanelderlyfemalenamedMrs。Bridgemanhadforalongwhilebeencarryingonastronomicalinvestigationstogether——"
　　"Carryingontogether！"vociferatedMadame。"Jupiter！"
　　"Andthattheyhadcometotheconclusionthattherewasprobablyoxygenincertainoftheholyfixedstars。Oxygen，sotheelderlyfemale——"
　　"Oxygeninanelderlyfemale！"criedMadame，inthegreatestexcitement。"Jupiter，isthistrue？"
　　Mr。SagittariuswasabouttobringforwardaflatdenialwhentheProphet，leaningbehindtheterrifiedbackofLadyJulia，hissedinhisear，——
　　"Sayyes，orhe’llfindoutwhoyoureallyare！"
　　"Yes，"criedMr。Sagittarius，inacatapulticmanner。
　　Madamebegantoshowelaboratesymptomsofpreparationforalarge—
　　sizedfitofhysterics。Shecaughtherbreathfiveorsixtimesrunninginaresoundingmanner，heavedherbosombeneaththegreenchiffonandcoffee—colouredlace，andtorefeeblywithbothhandsatalargemedallionbroochthatwasdoingsentrydutynearherthroat。
　　"Pray，pray，Madame，"exclaimedtheProphet，whowasnownearhiswits’
　　end。"Pray——"
　　"HowcanIprayattable，sir？"sheretorted，suddenlyshowingfight。
　　"Youforgetyourself。"
　　"Oh，Hennessey，"saidpoorMrs。Merillia，"whatdoesallthismean？"
　　"Nothing，grannie，nothingexceptthatMr。Sagittariusisaverymodestmananddoesnotcaretoacknowledgethegreatnessofhistalents。Praysitdown，Mr。Sagittarius。Hereistheicepudding。Madame，Iamsureyouwilltakesomeice。Mr。Ferdinand！"
　　"Sir？"
　　"TheicetoMadameSagittariusinstantly！"
　　Mr。Ferdinand，whowastremblingineverylimbathavingtoassistatsuchasceneinhisdining—room，whichhadhithertobeentheverytempleofsoftconversationandthemostexquisitedecorum，advancedtowardsMadame，clatteringtheflatsilverdish，andcausingthefrozendelicacythatthecookhadelegantlyposeduponittorunfirstthiswayandthenthatasifinimitativeagitation。
　　"Icannot，"sobbedMadame，beginningoncemoretocatchherbreath。"Atsuchamomentfoodbecomesrepulsive！"
　　"Iassureyouourcook’sicepuddingsarequitedelicious；aren’tthey，grannie？"
　　"Ihavenoidea，Hennessey，"saidMrs。Merillia，whowassoupsetbytheextraordinarysceneatwhichshewaspresidinginthecharacterofhostess，thatshemechanicallyclutchedtheleftbandeauofherdelightfulwig，andsetitquiteaquarterofaninchawry。
　　"Tryit，Madame，"criedtheProphet。"Iimploreyoutotryit。"
　　ThusadjuredMadamedetachedalargepieceoftheagilepuddingwithsomedifficulty，andsubsidedintoamorosesilence，whileherhusbandsatwithhiseyesfixedimploringlyuponher，totallyregardlessofhissocialduties。AsbothMrs。MerilliaandLadyJuliawerebythistimethoroughlyunnerved，andSirTiglathwasoncemoreimmersedinhisfood，thewholeburdenofconversationfellupontheProphet，whoindulgedinafeverishmonologuethatlasteduntiltheendofdinner。
　　Whathetalkedabouthecouldneverafterwardscertainlyremember，buthehadavagueideathathediscussedtheforeignrelationsofEnglandwithMadagascar，theprobablefutureofPoland，thesocialhabitsofthewomenofAlaska，theprospectsoftobaccocultureinWestMeath，andtheeffectthatimportedMexicanswouldbelikelytoproduceuponthenaturalsimplicityofsuchunsophisticatedpersonsasinhabitLundyIslandorthemoreremotedistrictsoftheShetlands。Whentheladiesatlengthrosetoleavethedining—roomhisbrainwasinawhirlandhehadlittledoubtthathistemperaturewasupto104。Neverthelesshismindwasstillactive，wasindeedpreternaturallyacuteforthemoment，andhesawinaflashtheimpossibilityofleavingMadameSagittariusalonewithhisgrandmotherandLadyJulia。Astheygotupfromtheirseatshethereforetookouthiswatchandsaid，——
　　"Dearme！ItislaterthanIhadsupposed。IamafraidweoughttobestartingforZoologicalHouse。Mrs。Bridgemanwillbeexpectingus。"
　　"Certainly，sir，certainly！"saidMr。Sagittarius，withallthealacrityofsupremecowardice，andcastingaterror—strickenglancetowardsSirTiglath，whowasgloweringathimwithglassyeyesaboveaglassofport。"Mrs。Bridgemanwillbeexpectingus！"
　　"Iwillassumemycloak，"saidMadame，fiercely。"Jupiter！"
　　"Mydarling！"
　　"Kindlyseekmyfurs。"
　　"Certainly，mylove，"repliedMr。Sagittarius，dartingeagerlyfromtheapartmenttofetchtherabbit—skins。
　　"LadyJulia，Ihopeyouwillforgiveus，"saidtheProphet，withpassionatecontrition。"IfIhadhadtheslightestideathatweshouldhavethepleasureofseeingyouto—night，ofcourseIshouldhavegivenupthisengagement。Butitissuchanoldone——settledmonthsago——andIhavepromisedMrs。Bridgemansofaithfullythat——"
　　"Theoldastronomerwillgowithyou，"criedSirTiglathatthismoment，swallowinghisglassofportatagulp，androllingoutofhischair。
　　TheProphetturnedcold，thinkingofMissMinerva，whowouldbepresentatMrs。Bridgeman’slivinghersecretdoublelife。Itwasimperativetopreventtheastronomerfromaccompanyingthem。
　　"IdidnotthinkyouknewMrs。Bridgeman，SirTiglath，"theProphetbegan，whileMrs。MerilliaandLadyJuliastoodblanklynearthedoor，tryingtolookcalmanddignifiedwhileeveryonewasardentlypreparingtodesertthem。
　　"Theoldastronomermustknowherbeforetheeveningisonehourmoreadvanced。Hemustquestionherregardingtheholystars。HemustexamineherandthisSagittarius，whoclaimstobeanoutsidebrokerandyettohavediscoveredoxygeninthefixedinhabitantsofthesacredheavens。Mycloak！"
　　ThelastwordswerebellowedatGustavus，whorushedforwardwithSirTiglath’sInverness。