To which he mildly answered, “Yes, I think I can, my dear.”

“Then,” said Mrs. Wilfer, with solemn indignation, “I would recommend you, if you have a human feeling, to retire to bed.”

“Thank you, my dear,” he replied; “I think it is the best place for me.” And with these unsympathetic words very gladly withdrew.

Within a few weeks afterwards, the Mendicant’s bride (arm-in-arm with the Mendicant) came to tea, in fulfilment of an engagement made through her father. And the way in which the Mendicant’s bride dashed at the unassailable position so considerately to be held by Miss Lavy, and scattered the whole of the works in all directions in a moment, was triumphant.