Where is your _toga virilibus_?"
"I don't know, my love, I'm sure. Don't let us lose a moment. Come, my
angel!"
"I shall not come," retorted Madame, whose leaping ambition had been
fired by the sound of titled names. "The gentleman believes you to be an
American syndicate."
"I know, my blessing, I know. But--"
"Very well. If you don't behave like one he will never suspect you."
The Prophet saw his chance slipping from him and hastened to interpose.
"He might divine the truth," he said. "One can never--"
But at this moment he was interrupted by Mr. Ferdinand who abruptly
opened the door and observed,--
"If you please, sir, Mrs. Merillia has sent down orders that the police
are to be fetched at once."
Mr. Sagittarius, now thoroughly unnerved, turned from white to grey.
"The police!" he vociferated. "Sophy, my angel, let us fly. This is no
place for you!"
"The police!" cried the Prophet. "Why?"
"I believe it's Mrs. Fancy's doing, sir. If you would go to Mrs.
Merillia, sir, I think--"
The Prophet rushed from the room and hastened upstairs four steps at a
time. He found his beloved grandmother in a state of grave agitation,
and Mrs.
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