(“She is a devilish clever woman,” thought Fledgeby. “I didn’t see that opening, but she spies it out and cuts into it as soon as it’s made.”)

“In point of fact, dear Mr. Fledgeby,” Mrs. Lammle went on in a very interesting manner, “not to affect concealment of Alfred’s hopes, to you who are so much his friend, there is a distant break in his horizon.”

This figure of speech seemed rather mysterious to Fascination Fledgeby, who said, “There’s a what in his⁠—eh?”

“Alfred, dear Mr. Fledgeby, discussed with me this very morning before he went out, some prospects he has, which might entirely change the aspect of his present troubles.”

“Really?” said Fledgeby.