We argued the point; but, the end of the matter was, that Dicky Chips was made over to his new mistress, with all his goods, chattels, and appurtenances. A happy bird he might consider himself henceforth, I knew. He would be idolised--a very nice situation, indeed, for a bullfinch! By-and-by I got closer to Min, as we were standing up, talking together and making Dicky go through a few of his tricks on the drawing-room table. "Min," said I, softly, bending over her and looking down into her honest, truth-telling grey eyes--"my darling!" But, at that precise moment, the door opened; and, in walked Mrs Clyde. CHAPTER NINE. BREAKERS AHEAD! Oh, I see thee, old and formal, fitted to thy petty part, With a little hoard of maxims preaching down a daughter's heart. "They were dangerous guides the feelings--she herself was not exempt-- Truly she herself had suffer'd"--perish in thy self-contempt! Mrs Clyde's appearance coming so suddenly upon the scene, acted as an application of the cold douche to all the loving ardour with which I was addressing Min. It completely spoiled the tableau; checking my eager impetuosity in a moment, and causing me to remain, tongue-tied, in a state of almost hopeless embarrassment. Picture the unexpected presentment of the statue of "The Commander" before Don Giovanni, and his horror at hearing words proceed from marble lips! You will, then, be able to form some faint idea of my feelings, when my pleasant position was thus interrupted by Min's mother. I was altogether "nonplussed," to use a vulgar but expressive word. Had she not come in so opportunely--or inopportunely, as _you_ may think--I don't know what I might not have said. You see, I was close to my darling, bending down over her and looking into her beautiful face. I was fathoming the depths of her soul- lighted, lustrous grey eyes; and, contiguity is sometimes apt in such circumstances, I am told, to hurry one into the rashness of desperation, bringing matters to a crisis. However, Mrs Clyde's entrance stopped all this. I was brought up all at once, "with a round turn," like a horse in full gallop pulled back on his haunches; or, "all standing," as a boat with her head to the wind--whichever simile you may best prefer.