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。