“Ha, ha, ha!” exclaimed the attorney again; “that, too, I plead guilty of producing. I told her, that you had nothing to do with the matter: for that the legal estate was vested, by your marriage, in Blennerhagen. I am willing to acknowledge, that the circumstances were suspicious: and, as long as I live, be assured that I will never send a female, in a yellow and azure dress, to a married man again. Hoping you will forget the uneasiness which I have innocently brought upon you, I now, madam, beg permission to withdraw.” Burdock had risen from his chair, and was on the point of taking up his hat and cane, when Mrs. Bleunerhagen's servant entered the room, and said, in a hurried tone, that her master was at the street door. “Then, I'll wait to see him,” said Burdock, placing his hat and cane on the table again, and resuming his seat. “Heavens, sir! are you mad?” exclaimed Mrs. Blennerhagen. “Unfortunate woman, that I am!--I did not expect him this half-hour. What is to be done, Wilmot?” “Don't be alarmed, madam,” replied the woman; “there's quite time enough for the gentleman to get into the cupboard.” “Is there no other resource left, Wilmot?” “None that I can see, madam!” replied the woman; “he'll meet master on the stairs if he goes down: and though there's time enough, there's no time to be lost. Sir,” added she, taking up the attorney's hat and cane, “you'd better slip in at once.” “Slip in!” exclaimed Burdock; “why should I slip in?--What do you mean?” “Don't speak so loud, sir:--master will hear you,” said Wilmot. “What do I care?” cried Burdock, in a stern tone; “are you out of your senses? Why should I hide like a galivanting beau in a farce?” “Oh! the wretch! he'll be the ruin of my reputation!” exclaimed the lady. “Reputation!--What have I to do with your reputation, Mrs Blennerhagen?” “This is my mistress's dressing-room, you see, sir.” “Well, you brought me here, woman: and if it is, as your mistress says,--attorneys, like physicians, are privileged persons.” “Oh! he won't discriminate, Wilmot. Don't you know, you cruel man, that we can't blind others with what we blind ourselves? I am as pure as an angel; but appearance is every thing; and Mr. Blennerhagen is more jealous than a Turk.” “That I am sure he is, madam; for he doats on you.” “And you, Mr. Burdock, will not be complaisant enough to save our connubial bliss from being wrecked for ever.--If you don't comply, I must scream out, and say you intruded yourself.” “Will you hear me speak?” cried the enraged attorney. “Hark, how he bawls! And he knows well enough the wife of Cæsar must not even be suspected,” said Mrs. Blennerhagen; “let the wretch ruin me;--do, Wilmot.” “Indeed I won't, madam, if I can help it. Come, sir, if you are a gentleman, prove yourself to be so.” “Bedlamites! will you hear me?--is not my character--”