“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!”