r a while, at least; but here comes Purvis." And that
worthy individual was led in on Martha's arm, a large green shade over
his eyes, and his face plentifully sprinkled with flour.

"What's the matter with you, man? you 're 'got up' like a ghost in a
melodrama."

"They 've taken all the cuti-cuti-cuti--"

"Call it skin, sir, and go on."

"Sk-skin off my face with a lin-liniment," cried he, "and I could
sc-scream out with pain whenever I speak!"

"Balm of marigolds, with the essential oil of crab-apple," said Martha.
"I made it myself."

"I wish to Hea-Heaven you had tr-tried it, too," whispered he.

"Brother Scroope, you are ungrateful," said Mrs. Ricketts, with the air
of a Judge, charging. "The vicissitudes of temperature, here, require
the use of astringents. The excessive heat of that police-court--"

"By the way, how has that affair ended?" asked Haggerstone.

"I'll tell you," screamed out Purvis, in a burst of eagerness. "They 've
fi-fi-fiued me a hundred and f-f-fifty scadi for being w-where I never
was, and fighting somebody I n-never saw."

"You got off cheaply, sir. I 've known' a man sentenced to the galleys
for less; and with a better character to boot," muttered he to himself.

"Lord Norwood and the rest said that I was a pr-pr-principal, and he
swore that he found me hiding in a cave."

"And did he so?"

"Yes; but it was only out of curi-curi-curi--"

"Curiosity, sir, like other luxuries, must be paid for; and, as you seem
a glutton, your appetite may be expensive to you."

"The mystery remains unsolved as to young Onslow, Colonel?" said Mrs.
Ricketts, half in question.

"I believe not, madam. The explanation is very simple. The gallant
guardsman, having heard of Guilmard's skill, preferred being reported
'missing' to 'killed,' having previously arranged with Norwood to take
his place. The price was, I fancy, a smart one,--some say five thousand,
some call it ten. Whatever the amount, it has not been paid, and Norwood
is furious."

"But the accident?"

"As for that, madam, nothing more natural than to crack your skull when
you lose your head." And Haggerstone drew himself up with the proud
consciousness of his own smartness.

"Then of course the poor young man is ruined?" observed Martha.

"I should say so, madam,--utterly ruined. He may figure on the committee
of a Polish ball, but any other society would of course reject him."
This was said to obtain a sneer at Petrolaffsky, wit