It may be so. [_He approaches THE MULE and addresses it._] O thou of remarkable attainments, whom I have caused to assume the shape of this mule, speak, I command thee, and say if thou wilt restore my stopper. THE MULE. [_Laying back its ears and showing its teeth._] I'll see you damned first! [_General sensation._ MRS. FUTVOYE. [_Going towards THE MULE in distress._] Oh! he wouldn't be so obstinate if he wasn't a mule! FAKRASH. [_To THE MULE._] Thou art trifling with my safety and thine own! Reveal unto me the spot in which thou hast hidden the stopper and delay not--for it will be no difficult undertaking to transform these women of thine into mules like thyself. [_Horror of MRS. FUTVOYE and SYLVIA, _and despair and rage of HORACE, who rises and rushes towards FAKRASH. THE MULE. You can _do_ it for all _I_ care----! MRS. FUTVOYE. Oh, Anthony! THE MULE. We shall at least be a more united family than we are now! MRS. FUTVOYE. [_Frantically._] Anthony! Don't provoke him! Think of _others_! FAKRASH. [_With some anxiety._] Hearken! I am disposed to show thee indulgence. Obey,--and I will restore thee to what thou wert. THE MULE. Why couldn't you say so before? I'll accept _those_ terms, as there's no alternative. Only--[_with his head on one side reflectively_]--I can't for the life of me recollect what I _did_ with that seal. Tut-tut! MRS. FUTVOYE. Oh, Anthony! Think! Think! [_General suspense and excitement._ THE MULE. [_Irritably._] I _am_ thinking, Sophia! [_After further reflection._] Ah! I remember now! I put it inside one of the vases on the mantelpiece, for safety. [HORACE looks aimlessly under the table and sofa; MRS. FUTVOYE, SYLVIA, and PRINGLE rush to the fireplace and search the vases._ MRS. FUTVOYE AND SYLVIA. [_Turning vases upside down._] Which? Which? No. It's not _there_! It's not _here._ PRINGLE. [_As he finds the metal cap in the last vase._] I've got it! [_Going to FAKRASH, and presenting it._] Allow me, sir. [_FAKRASH snatches it eagerly. PRINGLE goes up to THE MULE and reassures it, MRS. FUTVOYE accompanying him._ FAKRASH. [_Gloating over the cap._] It is indeed my stopper! Now shall I be secure from disturbance! HORACE. [_Going to FAKRASH, seizing his arm, and drawing him to the right; then, in an undertone._] Pitch into me afterwards if you like--but listen now. You _must_ keep _your_ side of the bargain! FAKRASH. [_Coldly._] What _I_ have promised I perform. HORACE. [_Relieved._] Ah, I _knew_ you were a good old sort--at bottom. And--I say--_do_ make them understand that _I've_ had nothing to do with all this. FAKRASH.