“When he came downstairs and joined the lady who wouldn’t let me come up, he gave me the pieces for you, and I was to say, ‘With Mr. Alfred Lammle’s compliments on his leaving England.’ ” Miss Jenny said it with such spiteful satisfaction, and such a hitch of her chin and eyes as might have added to Mr. Fledgeby’s miseries, if he could have noticed either, in his bodily pain with his hand to his head.

“Shall I go for the police?” inquired Miss Jenny, with a nimble start towards the door.

“Stop! No, don’t!” cried Fledgeby. “Don’t, please. We had better keep it quiet. Will you be so good as shut the door? Oh I do smart so!”

In testimony of the extent to which he smarted, Mr. Fledgeby came wallowing out of the easy-chair, and took another roll on the carpet.