"And allow me to congratulate you upon the character of this house, and especially the elegant seclusion of this chamber." And Mr. Potts sat down. Mr. Burns' lean form next ascended, and his nose seemed to increase in size, as he projected it in a low bow,-- "And allow me,--" what a deep voice! "to congratulate you upon the society of your companion, who becomes her male attire exceedingly." And Mr. Burns gravely resumed his seat. "Did--I--not--tell, tell--you,--n-o-t to come in," sobbed Julia. The Doctor's face was partly hidden by his plumes, but that portion of it which was visible, resembled nothing so much in color, as a boiled lobster. It now occurred to the Doctor, to release his grasp upon the waist of Julia. He left her to herself, and she fell on her knees, burying her face in her hands. As for the Doctor himself, he _slid_ slowly into a chair, never once removing his gaze, from the three gentlemen on the sofa. Thus confronting them in his cardinal's attire, with the white plumes nodding over his forehead, he seemed, in the language of the chairman of a town meeting, "to be waiting for this here meeting to proceed to business." There was a pause,--a painful and embarrassing pause. The three sat like statues, only that Mr. Potts rubbed the end of his nose, with the top of his cane. Why could not Dr. Bulgin, after the manner of the Genii in the Arabian Nights, disappear through the floor, in a cloud of mist and puff of perfume? "Well,--gentlemen,--" said Bulgin at last, for the dead silence began to drive him mad, and made him hear all sorts of noises, in his ears,--"what are _you_ doing in _this place_, at this _unusual_ hour!" This was a pointed question, to which Mr. Burns felt called upon to reply. He rose, and again the nose loomed largely, as he bowed,-- "Precisely the question which we were about to ask you," he said, and was seated again. Mr. Potts took his turn: "For a long time we have heard rumors," he said rising, "rumors concerning our pastor, of a painful nature. And although we did not credit them, yet they troubled us. Last night, however, we each received a letter, from an unknown person, who informed us, that in case we visited this house, between midnight and daybreak, we would discover our pastor, in company with the wife of an aged member of our church. As the letter inclosed the password, by which admittance is gained to this place, we took counsel upon the matter, and concluded to come. And,--" "And,--" interrupted Watkins, rising solemnly, and extending the forefinger of his right hand, toward Bulgin, "and _now we see_!" "And now we _see_!" echoed Mr. Watkins, absently shutting one eye, as he regarded Bulgin's face. "We _all_ see," remarked Mr. Potts resuming his seat, and then as if to clinch the matter--"and with _our own_ eyes!" Bulgin never before fully appreciated the meaning of the word "embarrassed." His wits had never failed him before; would they fail him now? He made an effort--