"One word," said Lupex, waving his hand. "Mr. Cradell, I greatly rejoice that you did not obey my summons on that night. Had you done so,--I confess it now,--had you done so, blood would have been the consequence. I was mistaken. I acknowledge my mistake;--but blood would have been the consequence." "Dear, dear, dear," said Miss Spruce. "Miss Spruce," continued Lupex, "there are moments when the heart becomes too strong for a man." "I dare say," said Miss Spruce. "Now, Lupex, that will do," said his wife. "Yes; that will do. But I think it right to tell Mr. Cradell that I am glad he did not come to me. Your friend, Mr. Cradell, did me the honour of calling on me at the theatre yesterday, at half-past four; but I was in the slings then, and could not very well come down to him. I shall be happy to see you both any day at five, and to bury all unkindness with a chop and glass at the Pot and Poker, in Bow-street." "I'm sure you're very kind," said Cradell. "And Mrs. Lupex will join us. There's a delightful little snuggery upstairs at the Pot and Poker; and if Miss Spruce will condescend to--" "Oh, I'm an old woman, sir." "No--no--no," said Lupex, "I deny that. Come, Cradell, what do you say?--just a snug little dinner for four, you know." It was, no doubt, pleasant to see Mr. Lupex in his present mood,--much pleasanter than in that other mood of which blood would have been the consequence; but pleasant as he now was, it was, nevertheless, apparent that he was not quite sober. Cradell, therefore, did not settle the day for the little dinner; but merely remarked that he should be very happy at some future day. "And now, Lupex, suppose you get off to bed," said his wife. "You've had a very trying day, you know." "And you, ducky?" "I shall come presently. Now don't be making a fool of yourself, but get yourself off. Come--" and she stood close up against the open door, waiting for him to pass. "I rather think I shall remain where I am, and have a glass of something hot," said he. "Lupex, do you want to aggravate me again?" said the lady, and she looked at him with a glance of her eye which he thoroughly understood. He was not in a humour for fighting, nor was he at present desirous of blood; so he resolved to go. But as he went he prepared himself for new battles. "I shall do something desperate, I am sure; I know I shall," he said, as he pulled off his boots. "Oh, Mr. Cradell," said Mrs. Lupex as soon as she had closed the door behind her retreating husband, "how am I ever to look you in the face again after the events of these last memorable days?" And then she seated herself on the sofa, and hid her face in a cambric handkerchief. "As for that," said Cradell, "what does it signify,--among friends like us, you know?" "But that it should be known at your office,--as of course it is, because of the gentleman that went down to him at the theatre!--I don't think I shall ever survive it."