“Biggle--of course,” she said to the little clergyman, who passed on with an air of reliant self-satisfaction. “Delighted to see you,” she added, this time addressing the Prophet’s old and valued friends. “Ah! Mr. Sagi--Sagi--um--I have heard so much of you from dear Miss Minerva.” The wild, high notes of a flute, played by a silly gentleman from Tooting, shrilled through the tupping of the guitars, and Mr. Sagittarius, trembling in every limb, hissed in Mrs. Bridgeman’s ear,-- “Hush, ma’am, for mercy’s sake!” Mrs. Bridgeman started and forgot to smile. “My loved and honoured wife,” continued Mr. Sagittarius, in a loud and anxious voice, “more to me than any lunar guide or starry monitor! Madame Sagittarius, a lady of deep education, ma’am.” “Delighted!” said Mrs. Bridgeman, making a gracious grimace at Madame, who inclined herself stonily and replied in a sinister voice,-- “It is indeed time that this renconter took place. Henceforth, ma’am, I shall be ever at my husband’s side, _per fus et nefus_--_et nefus_, ma’am.” “So glad,” said Mrs. Bridgeman. “I have been longing for this--” “Mr. Bernard Wilkins!” roared the tall footman. Mr. Sagittarius started and Mrs. Bridgeman did the same and smiled. “Bernard Wilkins the Prophet!” Mr. Sagittarius exclaimed. “From the Rise!” “Mrs. Eliza Doubleway!” shouted the footman. “Mrs. Eliza!” cried Mr. Sagittarius, in great excitement. “That’s the soothsayer from the Beck!” “Madame Charlotte Humm!” yelled the footman. “Madame Humm!” vociferated Mr. Sagittarius, “the crystal-gazer from the Hill!” “Professor Elijah Chapman!” bawled the footman. “The nose-reader!” piped Mr. Sagittarius. “The nose-reader from the Butts!” “Verano!” screamed the footman, triumphantly submerging the flute and the twenty guitars. “Verano!” “The South American Irish palmist from the Downs! My love,” said Mr. Sagittarius, in a cracking voice, “we are in it to-night, we are indeed; we are fairly and squarely in it.” Madame began to bridle and to look as ostentatious as a leviathan. “And if we are, Jupiter!” she said in a voice that rivalled the footman’s--“if we are, we are merely in our element. They needn’t think to come over me!” “Hush, my love! Remember that--” “Dr. Birdie Soames!” interposed the vibrant bass of the footman. “The physiognomy lady from the Common!” said Mr. Sagittarius, on the point of breaking down under the emotion of the moment. “Scot! Scot! Great Scot!”