'You might do worse.' Vi turned on me. 'You mean that he might marry me. Douglas, you are at times so sweet. You needn't be afraid; I'll be no clog on him.' 'I'll make you marry me. You promised that you would; I imagine you are not prepared to deny it. I'll make you keep your word.' 'You'll make me! Indeed! My dear Reggie, it's news to me to learn that I'm the kind of person who can be made to do anything.' 'Good children, pray don't argue. In anticipating the very worst, we may be destined to suffer disappointment. In the first place, I am extremely doubtful if it was Twickenham; though Edith isn't. But then she didn't see him, and I did; so, of course, she knows. Even granting it was Twickenham, during fifteen years he may have altered. He may have become the most generous and delightful soul alive. In any case, he will have plenty. He can hardly refuse assistance to his only brother.' 'He won't dare to give me nothing. Especially when he knows the hole I'm in.' 'Dare!' Edith smiled. 'Twickenham dare do anything. Particularly in the way of making himself disagreeable.' 'O Lord! Don't talk like that. As Douglas says, during fifteen years he may have altered.' 'Can the Ethiopian change his skin?' That was what I had myself been wondering. CHAPTER IV MR. MONTAGU BABBACOMBE AWAKES Something of the crowd which Mr. Augustus FitzHoward foretold did assemble. It was half-past nine when I entered that part of the building in which Mr. Montagu Babbacombe was on exhibition, and already it was quite sufficiently filled. Mr. FitzHoward stood at the receipt of custom, wearing an air of triumph, and what seemed the same dirty pair of cuffs. He beamed at me as I tendered my ticket. 'All right?' I asked. 'All perfectly right, sir. In half an hour from now Mr. Montagu Babbacombe will come back from the land of the dead to the land of the living, after a thirty days' sojourn among the shadows. It may be that he will be the bearer of important news from Shadowland. Walk in, ladies and gentlemen, while there still is time.' The major part of his remarks was addressed to folks in general. I wanted him to say something on a subject which was of interest only to myself. 'I suppose it can be arranged for me to speak to Mr. Babbacombe after the close of his entertainment.' 'Entertainment, sir! I would have you know that this is not an entertainment; a mere commonplace show. It's a modern miracle; the miracle of the age--as those who witness it will with one voice proclaim. Admission, half-a-crown!' This was said at the top of his voice. A postscript was uttered in milder tones. 'I can't make any promise. I expect it'll be pretty lively after ten, and perhaps Mr. Babbacombe mayn't feel up to much. But if you'll keep yourself handy, if I can manage an introduction I will. The rest you must manage yourself.' 'Very good. You understand that I must see him alone.'