'It's--it's--only a gentleman, Ma'am,' said Mr. Pickwick from behind the curtains. 'A gentleman!' said the lady with a terrific scream. 'It's all over,' thought Mr. Pickwick. 'A strange man,' shrieked the lady. Another instant and the house would be alarmed. Her garments rustled as she rushed towards the door. 'Ma'am,'--said Mr. Pickwick, thrusting out his head, in the extremity of desperation, 'Ma'am.' Now although Mr. Pickwick was not actuated by any definite object in putting out his head, it was instantaneously productive of a good effect. The lady, as we have alreaded stated, was near the door. She must pass it, to reach the staircase, and she would most undoubtedly have done so by this time, had not the sudden apparition of Mr. Pickwick's nightcap driven her back, into the remotest corner of the apartment, where she stood, staring wildly at Mr. Pickwick, while Mr. Pickwick, in his turn, stared wildly at her. 'Wretch,'--said the lady, covering her eyes with her hands, 'what do you want here.' 'Nothing, Ma'am--nothing whatever, Ma'am,' said Mr. Pickwick, earnestly. 'Nothing!' said the lady, looking up. 'Nothing, Ma'am, upon my honour,' said Mr. Pickwick, nodding his head so energetically, that the tassel of his nightcap danced again. 'I am almost ready to sink, Ma'am, beneath the confusion of addressing a lady in my nightcap (here the lady hastily snatched off her's), but I can't get it off, Ma'am (here Mr. Pickwick gave it a tremendous tug in proof of the statment). It is evident to me, Ma'am, now, that I have mistaken this bedroom for my own. I had not been here five minutes, Ma'am, when you suddenly entered it.' 'If this improbable story be really true, Sir,'--said the lady, sobbing violently, 'you will leave it instantly.' 'I will, Ma'am, with the greatest pleasure,' replied Mr. Pickwick. 'Instantly, Sir,' said the lady. 'Certainly, Ma'am,' interposed Mr. Pickwick very quickly. 'Certainly, Ma'am. I--I--am very sorry, Ma'am,' said Mr. Pickwick, making his appearance at the bottom of the bed, 'to have been the innocent occasion of this alarm and emotion; deeply sorry Ma'am.' The lady pointed to the door. One excellent quality of Mr. Pickwick's character was beautifully displayed at this moment, under the most trying circumstances. Although he had hastily put on his hat over his night cap, after the manner of the old patrol; although he carried his shoes and gaiters in his hand, and his coat and waistcoat over his arm, nothing could subdue his native politeness. 'I am exceedingly sorry, Ma'am,' said Mr. Pickwick, bowing very low. 'If you are, Sir, you will at once leave the room,' said the lady.