then, as if thinking better of it,
he resumed his descent, and the door was immediately closed upon him.

Mr Sullivan, as soon as he was satisfied that the colonel was shut out,
immediately repaired to his wife's dressing-room, where he found her
reading.

"Madam," said he, fixing his eyes sternly on her, "I have been informed
of what took place last night."

"I'm sure I do not know what that was," replied the lady, coolly,
"except that you were very tipsy."

"Granted, madam: you took advantage of it; and your conduct--"

"My conduct, Mr Sullivan!" replied his wife, kindling with anger.

"Yes, Mrs Sullivan, your conduct. A married woman, madam, who allows
gentlemen--"

"Gentlemen, Mr Sullivan! I allow no gentlemen but yourself. Are you
sure that you are quite sober?"

"Yes, madam, I am; but this affected coolness will not avail you: deny,
if you can, that Colonel Ellice did not last night--"

"Well, then, I do deny it. Neither Colonel Ellice nor any other man
ever did--"

"Did what, madam?" interrupted the husband, in a rage.

"I was going to observe, if you had not interrupted me, that no one was
wanting in proper respect towards me," replied the lady, who grew more
cool as her husband increased in choler. "Pray, Mr Sullivan, may I
inquire who is the author of this slander?"

"The author, madam! look at me--to your confusion look at me!"

"Well, I'm looking."

"'Twas, madam--the colonel himself."

"The colonel himself!"

"Yes, madam, the colonel himself, who called this morning to see you,
and renew the intimacy, I presume; but, by mistake, was shown up to me,
and then made an apology for his conduct."

"It's excessively strange! first the colonel is rude, without my
knowledge, and then apologises to you! Mr Sullivan, I'm afraid that
your head is not right this morning."

"Indeed, madam, I only wish that your heart was as sound," replied the
husband with a sneer; "but, madam, I am not quite blind. An honest
woman--a virtuous woman, Mrs Sullivan, would have immediately
acquainted her husband with what had passed--not have concealed it;
still less have had the effrontery to deny it, when acknowledged by her
_paramour_."

"_Paramour_!" cried the lady, with an hysterical laugh; "Mr Sullivan!
when I select a _paramour_, it shall be a handsome young man--not an
old, yellow-faced--"

"Pshaw, madam! there's no accounting for taste; when once a woman
deviates from the right path--"

"Right p