_Alth._ (_to herself_). It's very mysterious. I _should_ like to know what it can be! (_Aloud._) I--I hardly know. I think we ought, perhaps, to--but this doesn't look a very nice train, does it? _Curph._ (_with conviction_). It's a _beastly_ train! One of the very worst they run, and full of the most objectionable people. It--it's quite noted for it. _Alth._ (_to_ PH[OE]BE, _who hurries up with her hand-bag_). No, never mind; I'm not going by this train, PH[OE]BE; we'll wait for a more comfortable one. _Ph[oe]be._ Very good, Miss. (_To herself, as she retires._) Well, if that isn't downright barefaced--I don't know what it is! I hope they'll find a train to suit 'em before long, and not stay here picking and choosing all day, or I shan't get back in time to lay the cloth for dinner. But it's the way with all these quiet ones! _Alth._ Did you want to speak to me about last night, Mr. CURPHEW? Has my cousin CHARLES been getting into any mischief? I only came in afterwards; but you were looking so shocked about something. Was it because he had been to a theatre, and do _you_ think that very wicked of him? _Curph._ (_to himself_). I ought to manage to lead up to it now. (_Aloud._) It was not a theatre exactly--it was--well, it was a music-hall. _Alth._ Oh! but is there any difference? _Curph._ Not much--between a music-hall and some theatres. At theatres, you see, they perform a regular play, with a connected plot--at least, some of the pieces have a connected plot. At a music-hall the entertainment is--er--varied. Songs, conjuring-tricks, ventriloquism, and--and that kind of thing. _Alth._ Why, that's just like the Penny Readings at our Athenaeum! _Curph._ Well, I should hardly have--but I'm not in a position to say. (_To himself._) I'm further off than ever! _Alth._ It couldn't be _that_, then; for Papa has presided at Penny Readings himself. But CHARLES must have told him _something_ that upset him, for he came down to breakfast looking perfectly haggard this morning. CHARLES had a long talk in the library with him last night after you left, and then Papa went to bed. _Curph._ (_to himself_). I felt sure that fellow spotted me. So he's let the cat out to old TOOVEY! If I don't tell her now. (_Aloud._) Did Mr. TOOVEY seem--er--annoyed? _Alth._ He looked worried, and I believe he wanted to consult _you_. _Curph._ (_to himself_). The deuce he did! (_Aloud._) He mentioned me? _Alth._ He talked of going round to see you, but Mamma insisted on his staying quietly indoors. _Curph._ (_to himself_). Sensible woman, Mrs. TOOVEY! But I've no time to lose. (_Aloud._) I think I can explain why he wished to see me. He has discovered my--my secret. _Alth._ Have you a secret, Mr. CURPHEW? (_To herself._) He can't mean _that_, and yet--oh, what _am_ I to say to him? _Curph._ I have. I always intended to tell him--but--but I wanted you to know it first. And it was rather difficult to tell. I--I risk losing everything by speaking.