"Caught in your dress! Precisely, my beautiful little lady, whom I have the pleasure of seeing for the fiftieth time, since I see you passing every morning, noon and evening--precisely. Immured in my apartment for political reasons, I am reduced to this species of amusement; and this hook attached to this thread contained a grain of wheat. It floated far up, and some cormorant devoured it; then the wind ceasing, it had the misfortune to strike into your dress." With which words Sir Asinus made an elegant bow, wrapping his old dressing-gown about him with one hand, while he extricated the hook with the other. "There! you are free!" he said; "I am very sorry, my dear little lady----" "Oh, indeed, sir! it is very funny! I'm almost glad it caught me, Bathurst laughed so much." "I have the pleasure of making Mr. Bathurst's acquaintance," said Sir Asinus politely; and in spite of little Martha's correction, that Mr. Bathurst was not his name, he added, "Your cavalier at the ball to-night, I presume?" "Oh, sir, you are laughing," said the girl, with her bright face; "but we are going to the ball." "And will you dance with me?" "If _you_ will, sir." "Extraordinary innocence!" muttered the knight, "not common among young ladies;" then he added, "I assure you, Miss--you have not told me----" "My name is Martha, sir." "Well, Miss Martha, I shall dance with you most delightedly. Asinus is my name--I am descended from a great Assyrian family; and this is my lodging. Looking up any morning, my dear Miss Martha, you will receive the most elegant bow I have--such as is due to a Fairy Queen, and the empress of my soul.--Good morning, Mowbray." And saluting the students who passed, laughing, Sir Asinus ascended again, muttering and wrapping his old dressing-gown more tightly around him.