Part 25 (2/2)
”Impossible, sir!” cried Mr. Sagittarius. ”Quite impossible. You must get to work to-night, and how can you do it without your directions?”
”Oh, I can manage all right,” said the Prophet, desperately. ”I can give a guess as to--”
”_Non sunt ad astrae mollibus a terrus viae_!” cried Madame. ”The road from Berkeley square to the stars is not so easy, is it, Jupiter?”
”No indeed, my love. Why--”
”Then,” exclaimed the Prophet, much agitated, and feeling it inc.u.mbent upon him to get rid of Mr. Sagittarius at once lest the curiosity of Lady Enid should increase beyond all measure, and lead to an encounter between the two clients of Jellybrand's, ”then kindly give me my directions as briefly as possible, and--”
There was another tap upon the door.
”What is it?” cried the Prophet, distractedly, ”Come in!”
Mr. Ferdinand re-entered very delicately.
”Her ladys.h.i.+p can only stay a minute, sir. Mrs. Merillia hopes you can leave your business--I said as you was very busy, sir--and come up to the drawing-room.”
”Yes, yes. I'll come. Say I'll come, Mr. Ferdinand.”
”Yes, sir.”
As the door closed the Prophet exclaimed excitedly,--
”I fear I really must--”
”Take down your directions, sir,” broke in Mr. Sagittarius, firmly.
”Very well,” rejoined the Prophet, desperately, seizing his pencil and the account-book. ”What are they?”
”You swear to follow them, sir?”
”Yes, yes, anything--anything!”
”Have you a star map?”
”Yes--no!”
”You must get one.”
”Very well.”
”You had better do so at the Stores.”
Madame breathed an almost sensuous sigh which caused her husband to glance tenderly towards her.
”I know, my love, I know,” he said. ”It may come some day.”
”_O festum dies! Longa intervallam!_” she murmured, shaking her bonnet with the manner of a martyr to duty.
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