Part 26 (2/2)

”Tune--the 'Exile's Return,' eh?”

”Base scoffer! But what news?”

”A great piece”

”What?”

”I a for news”

”I really couldn't You have no idea hoeakly I a; and as it deals in battle and blood, I cannot touch upon it”

”Ah! that is the character of a man's friends In the sunshi+ne all devotion; in adversity----”

”And exile----”

”All hatred”

”Very well,” said Jacques, ”I can afford to labor under your injustice You are systematically unjust But I just dropped in as I passed--and,I shall intrude----”

”No; stay! stay!”

”Very well”

Sir Asinus laid down his violin; and stretching himself, said carelessly:

”I shouldn't be surprised if you had brought soettatura_--that faculty called the Evil Eye”

The step ascended

”Who is it--whose heavy step can that be?” said Sir Asinus, rising; ”it is not Randolph: itfroe cocked hat rising from beneath, followed by a substantial person

”O Heaven!” he cried, ”it's Doctor Small! The door--the door!”

”Too late!” said Jacques, laughing; ”the Doctor will find the stairs suddenly darkened if you close the door; and then he will know you are not absent, only playing him a trick!”

”True! true!” cried Sir Asinus in despair; ”where shall I go? I am lost!”