"He couldn't very well come before, sir," interrupted Lady Blunt; "because we only came back from the matrimonial trip last night."
Mr. Howard bowed, and was preparing to continue, when the knight exclaimed, "My dear sir, what is all this to-do about the highwayman who robbed me of the two thousand pounds? I thought I told you so particularly that I would rather no steps should be taken in the matter; and now—the moment I come back to town——"
"Instead of having all our time to ourselves, to gad about cozie together," again interrupted Lady Blunt, "we are forced to come bothering here at a lawyer's office."
"The ends of justice must be met, Lady Blunt," said Mr. Howard drily. "In consequence of particular information which I received, I caused this Thomas Rainford to be apprehended; and I appeal to Sir Christopher himself—who has served the high office of Sheriff——"
"And once stood as a candidate for the aldermanic gown of Portsoken, until I was obliged to cut those City people," added the knight, drawing himself up.
"And why should you cut the City people?" demanded his wife. "For my part, I'd sooner see the Lord Mayor's show than Punch and Judy any day; and that's saying a great deal—for no one can be more fonder of Punch and Judy than me."
"My dear Charlotte," exclaimed the knight, who now seemed to be sitting on thorns, "you——"
"Charlotte at home—Lady Blunt in public, Sir Christopher—if you please," interrupted the bride. "But pray let Mr. Howard get to the end of this business."
"Well, my dear," exclaimed Sir Christopher, "if it annoys you, why would you come? I assured you how unusual it was for ladies to accompany their husbands to the office of their solicitors——"
"Oh! I dare say, Sir Christopher!" cried Charlotte. "You don't think that I'm going to trust you out of my sight, do you now? I'm not quite such a fool as you take me for. Why, even when we are walking along the street together, I can see your wicked old eye fixed on the gals——"