"Pardon my interrupting your pleasant conversation," he says. "Oh, no interruption!" says Sir Asinus triumphantly. "But I thought I'd mention---- "Speak out, speak out!" says Sir Asinus, shaking with laughter, and assuming a generous and noble air. "I observed through the window a visitor, fairest Belinda." "Ah! I was so closely engaged," says Sir Asinus, "like a knight of the middle ages, I thought only of my 'ladye faire.' Nothing can move me from her side!" "Indeed?" says Jacques. "Nothing!" "Well, well, at least I have not counselled such desertion on your part. The visitor at the gate there is Doctor Small from college. I only thought I'd mention it!" Like an electric shock dart the words of Jacques through the frame of the chivalric Sir Asinus. He starts to his feet--gazes around him despairingly, seeking a place of refuge. The step of worthy Doctor Small is heard upon the portico; Sir Asinus quakes. "Are you unwell, my dear friend?" asks Jacques with melancholy interest. "I am--really--come, Jacques!" stammers Sir Asinus. "Are you indisposed?" "To meet the Doctor? I rather think I am. Mercy! mercy! dear _Campana in die_," cries the knight; "hide me! hide me!--up stairs, down stairs--any where!" The footstep sounded in the passage. Belle-bouche laughed with that musical contagious merriment which characterized her. "But what shall we say?" she asks; "I can't tell the Doctor you are not here." "Then I must go. Can I escape? Oh heavens! there is his shadow on the floor! Jacques, my boy, protect my memory--I must retire!" And Sir Asinus rushed through the open door leading into the adjoining room, just as Doctor Small entered with his benevolent smile and courteous inclination. He had been informed in town, he said, that his young friend Thomas, withdrawn now some days from college, was at Shadynook; and taking advantage of his acquaintance with Mrs. Wimple, and he was happy to add with Miss Rebecca, he had come to find and have some friendly conversation with Thomas. Had he been at Shadynook, or was he misinformed? The reply was easy. Sir Asinus had disappeared through a door leading into the garden some moments before, and Belle-bouche could reply most truthfully--as she did--that the truant _had_ visited her that morning, but was gone. The worthy Doctor smiled, and said no more. He exchanged a few words on the pleasant weather--smiled benevolently on the young girl--and with a sly glance asked Jacques if he designed attending lecture that morning.