"Who was it?"
"Lord Mowbray."
"As you seem to know so much," said O'Flannigan, "pray who are you yourself? A sorcerer or the devil himself?"
By way of answer the Oriental removed his false beard.
"Mr. Fisher!" exclaimed the Quakeress and her cavalier in the same breath.
"At your service. This is Prospero's beard in the 'Tempest.'"
"Well done!" said O'Flannigan. "The Shakespeare accessories have been largely plundered this evening! But tell us, Fisher, what leads you to suppose that Lord Mowbray has designs upon Miss Woodville?"
"I have had proofs enough," replied Fisher mysteriously; "all the proofs I want, you may believe me."
The hairdresser considered it unnecessary to say more, or to add that the proofs in question bore the effigy of his Majesty.
"Merciful Heaven! what shall I do?" cried Mrs. Marsham wringing her hands.