‘We shall be arrested to-morrow, at latest,’ interpolated the young man, ‘the warrants are being made out at this moment.’ ‘Capital!’ shouted the elder man, slapping his knee exultingly, ‘I wouldn’t miss the scene at the trial for a kingdom!’ ‘Oh, Sadbag, thou art horrid!’ cried Mercia deprecatingly, ‘I shall never survive the disgrace of it!’ ‘Say, rather, thou wilt be too shy to survive the honour of it! Mercia, mark me, the day of thy trial will be the dawn of thy glory. Truth will triumph this time, notwithstanding the world’s wickedness. The words of our ancient Solomon shall be verified—“A virtuous woman is as a crown to her husband,” et cetera;’ and Sadbag looked slily at Geometrus, for an irrepressible humour was ever bubbling up within him. ‘But I haven’t a husband,’ murmured Mercia, blushingly, ‘so how can I thus adorn him?’ ‘The man and the opportunity are awaiting thee: the one at thy elbow, the other looming near,’ explained Sadbag archly. It was Geometrus’s turn to blush now, which he did most becomingly,—‘If Sadbag means me,’ he faltered out, ‘I would fain be the man, I confess; but where is the opportunity? It seems to me that it was never so distant as at present, and it was at all times too far to give hope.’ ‘Modesty doth well become youth, but it is ill-placed in cases of the heart. He that is daring gains the goal, but the fainthearted gives up the race. It is true ye twain are in a predicament, having lost your appointments, but you are no worse off than if this misfortune had never befallen you, for marriage would have brought a like result. I propose,’ Sadbag proceeded to say, ‘that thou Geometrus shalt ask Divesdale for the appointment of Head of the Royal College of Natural Science, where thou wilt have power to appoint all its various professors, and lecturers. As astronomy is one of the principal subjects taught, give Mercia the post of Chief Astronomical Lecturer, which carries no bar to marriage. Now isn’t that plan most excellent! I flatter myself it is a capital thought!’ ‘It’s splendid, yet it possesses a fault!’ exclaimed Geometrus, whose spirits began to rise at the bright prospect held before him; ‘could not Mercia ask Divesdale for the appointment of Principal, and give me the subordinate position of Professor?’ ‘Whichever way you two choose to put it,’ replied Sadbag merrily; ‘after all, when I come to consider it I believe Mercia would stand the better chance with the minister; the nation at large, too, would be more satisfied, as she hath renown and much goodwill of the people.’ ‘I feel as if I were already installed, and am longing to award places of honour to all my friends,’ broke in Mercia sweetly. ‘What post, dear Sadbag, can I give thee? Political Expounder, or Professor of Economics? Name the article and it shall be forthcoming; for I fain would testify my gratitude for the honest goodwill thou dost show me.’