“It must be done to-night, Mr. Fibbes,” he remarked, with polite energy; “this is the last night we can manage it cleverly, on account of the moon. See now--I’ve been down in the neighbourhood to make sure. My missus, she knows the place as well as I know you. Bless you! she was bred and born there. But I wouldn’t trust to that. I’ve been waiting down about there for a week. At last, the family they all goes out a hairin’ in the phaeton or what not--I walks boldly up to the front door and rings the bell. Up comes the housekeeper, all in a fluster, settling of a clean cap--thinks I, the footman’s gone with the carriage, and the butler’s out shootin’, and directly his back’s turned, the under butler he’s off courtin’, and the boy when the coast’s clear, he runs out to play cricket, so there’s no one left but the women--trust me for managin’ of _them_.” “Good,” said Mr. Fibbes, approvingly, as he filled and emptied his glass. “‘Is the General at home?’ says I, quite promiscuous, and looking up and down the portico like a harchitect. “‘No, sir,’ says she, politely enough; ‘did you wish to see him?’ “‘It’s of no consequence,’ says I, pulling a bundle of prints and a measuring-line out of my pocket, ‘merely a small matter of business; the General’s confidential servant would do as well.’ Ye see I knowed the butler was out, else he’d have answered the door. “‘Perhaps you’ll leave a message, sir,’ says she. “‘O ma’am,’ says I, ‘it’s a matter of no importance, only I _am_ going to town by the train to-night. Perhaps, ma’am, as you seem to be the governess, or a relative of the family, you might give me permission to do all I want.’ “‘What is it?’ says she, looking as pleased as Punch. “‘Well, ma’am,’ says I, ‘the fact is, I’m engaged in preparing a work for publication that shall comprise all the principal seats of the nobility and gentry in the Midland Counties; would you oblige me by glancing over the proofs? and if there are any that strike your fancy, pray favour me by acceptin’ of them,’ says I. ‘Your noble family owns one of the finest residences we have yet surveyed, and we shall be proud to do justice to it.’” “Good,” again grunted Mr. Fibbes, who was beginning to weary of the detail, and wanted more gin to keep him awake.