world.
Prudence is an admirable cook,--particularly as regard Yorkshire
Pudding; gentle, little Miss Priscilla is the most--er Aunt-like, and
perfect of housekeepers; and Miss Anthea is our sovereign lady, before
whose radiant beauty, Small Porges and I like true knights, and gallant
gentles, do constant homage, and in whose behalf Small Porges and I do
stand prepared to wage stern battle, by day, or by night."

"Indeed!" said Mr. Cassilis, and his smile was even more supercilious
than usual.

"Yes, sir," nodded Bellew, "I do confess me a most fortunate, and happy,
wight who, having wandered hither and yon upon this planet of ours,
which is so vast, and so very small,--has, by the most happy chance,
found his way hither into Arcady."

"And--may I enquire how long you intend to lead this Arcadian
existence?"

"I fear I cannot answer that question until the full o' the moon,
sir,--at present, I grieve to say,--I do not know."

Mr. Cassilis struck his riding-boot a sudden smart rap with his whip;
his eyes snapped, and his nostrils dilated, as he glanced down into
Bellew's imperturbable face.

"At least you know, and will perhaps explain, what prompted you to buy
all that furniture? You were the only buyer at the sale I understand."

"Who--bought anything, yes," nodded Bellew.

"And pray--what was your object,--you--a stranger?"

"Well," replied Bellew slowly, as he began to fill his pipe, "I bought
it because it was there to buy, you know; I bought it because furniture
is apt to be rather useful, now and then,--I acquired the chairs
to--er--sit in, the tables to--er--put things on, and--"

"Don't quibble with me, Mr. Bellew!"

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Cassilis!"

"When I ask a question, sir, I am in the habit of receiving a direct
reply,--"

"And when I am asked a question, Mr. Cassilis, I am in the habit of
answering it precisely as I please,--or not at all."

"Mr. Bellew, let me impress upon you, once and for all, that Miss Devine
has friends,--old and tried friends, to whom she can always turn for aid
in any financial difficulty she may have to encounter,--friends who can
more than tide over all her difficulties without the--interference of
strangers; and, as one of her oldest friends, I demand to know by what
right you force your wholly unnecessary assistance upon her?"

"My very good sir," returned Bellew, shaking his head in gentle reproof,
"really, you seem to forget that you are not addressing on