“Heavens, sir! are you mad?” exclaimed Mrs. Blennerhagen. “Unfortunate woman, that I am!—I did not expect him this half-hour. What is to be done, Wilmot?”
“Don't be alarmed, madam,” replied the woman; “there's quite time enough for the gentleman to get into the cupboard.”
“Is there no other resource left, Wilmot?”
“None that I can see, madam!” replied the woman; “he'll meet master on the stairs if he goes down: and though there's time enough, there's no time to be lost. Sir,” added she, taking up the attorney's hat and cane, “you'd better slip in at once.”
“Slip in!” exclaimed Burdock; “why should I slip in?—What do you mean?”
“Don't speak so loud, sir:—master will hear you,” said Wilmot.
“What do I care?” cried Burdock, in a stern tone; “are you out of your senses? Why should I hide like a galivanting beau in a farce?”
“Oh! the wretch! he'll be the ruin of my reputation!” exclaimed the lady.
“Reputation!—What have I to do with your reputation, Mrs Blennerhagen?”
“This is my mistress's dressing-room, you see, sir.”