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"Wheel the chair forward, Gustavus, if you please," said the Prophet. "Mrs. Merillia must not be dropped. Remember that." "Not be dropped, sir no." The chair ran forward on its amicable castors as a carriage was heard to stop outside. Mr. Ferdinand flung open the portal, and the Prophet glided out excitedly upon the step. "Well?" he cried, "well?"
Then it takes on the hue of a lead pencil." "Indeed!" said Mrs. Merillia, trying nobly to remain social. "How very curious!" "We worship it in summer," continued Mr. Sagittarius. "In the sultry season it soothes and calms us." "Then it is quite tame?" "At that time of year, but in winter nights it is sometimes almost wild." "Ah, I daresay. They often are, I know."
Ferdinand, looking rather like an elderly maiden lady when she unexpectedly encounters her cook taking an airing with a corporal in the Life Guards, "the pair of persons you expected, sir, has come." The Prophet blushed. "Oh! You you haven't disturbed Mrs. Merillia with them, I hope," he rejoined. "No, sir, indeed. Gustavus said your orders was that they was to be shown quietly to the library."
Sir Tiglath, if you will kindly give your arm to Madame Sagittarius. Mr. Sagittarius, my grandmother." So saying, he made a sort of flank movement, so adroitly conceived and carried out that, in the twinkling of an eye, he had driven Sir Tiglath to the side of Madame and hustled Mr. Sagittarius into the immediate neighbourhood of Mrs. Merillia.
Merillia and this lady looked up when the door opened, and Lady Julia paused midway in a sentence, of which these were the opening words, "The old duke wouldn't make it over, and so poor Loftus has to pay nearly a million to the Chancellor of the Excheq " "How d'you do, Lady Julia? Grannie, I have persuaded my friends, Mr. and Madame Sagittarius, to join us at dinner.
I expect her back at half-past eleven. She may need assistance on her return." "Assistance, sir! Mrs. Merillia, sir!" Mr. Ferdinand's luminous eyes shone with amazement. "She may I say she may have to be carried to bed." Mr. Ferdinand's jaw dropped. He gave at the knees and was obliged to cling to a Chippendale cabinet for support.
However, as he said nothing and merely wrung his large hands, the Prophet, after a slight pause, continued, "I may be away some time, so if Mrs. Merillia should make any inquiry, you will say that I have left to pay a visit to some friends." "Yes, sir. Shall I tell Gustavus to pack your things?" "Certainly not." The Prophet was turning towards the library when Mr. Ferdinand added,
"Doubtless," replied Madame, arranging a napkin carefully over her fichu, and dealing rigorously with some mayonnaise sauce. "It has been our perpetual companion for many years, mus amicus humano generi." Sir Tiglath swelled, and Mrs. Merillia responded, "I see, a pet. Is it white?" "No, ma'am," returned Mr. Sagittarius, "it is a rich, chocolate brown except on wet days.
"He was a trifle pale, sir, about the gills but a heart of gold, sir, I feel sure. He wore four medals, sir." "Four medals! Nevertheless, he may have been frightened to go to Mr. Malkiel's door. That will do, Mr. Ferdinand." Mr. Ferdinand was about to bow and retire when the Prophet, after a moment of hesitation, added, "Stay, Mr. Ferdinand. Mrs. Merillia has gone to the Gaiety Theatre to-night.
"Dear me!" said Madame, with pitying amazement. "You hear her ladyship, Jupiter?" "I do, my angel. Madame is a lady of deep education, ma'am," said Mr. Sagittarius, turning to Mrs. Merillia, who had been listening to the foregoing cross-examination with perpetually-increasing horror. "No decent female should understand Greek or Latin," roared Sir Tiglath at this point.
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