“If you please, sir, Mrs. Merillia feels herself so much better that she is coming down to dinner to-night.”
“Coming down to dinner!” said the Prophet, aghast.
“Yes, sir. And she has asked in Sir Tiglath Butt and the Lady Julia Postlethwaite to join her. I was about to show Mrs. Merillia the menu, sir, when—”
“Good Heavens! Merciful Powers!” ejaculated the Prophet.
“Sir?”
“What on earth is to be done?” continued the Prophet, lost for the moment to all sense of propriety.
Mr. Ferdinand looked at the old and valued friends.
“I can’t say, sir, I’m sure,” he replied, pursing up his lips.
“What is the meaning—” began Mr. Sagittarius.
“I’m not aware that—” started Madame.