redder of neck than ever.

"Ax your pardon, Mr. Grimes," said Adam solemnly, "but what wi' people's
legs, an' cheer legs, an' the legs o' tables,--not to mention sideboards
an' cab'nets,--which, though not 'aving no legs, ain't to be by no
manner o' means despised therefore,--w'ot wi' this an' that, an'
t'other, I am that con-fined, or as you might say, con-fused, I don't
know which legs is mine, or yourn, or anybody else's. Mr. Grimes sir,--I
makes so bold as to ax your pardon all over again, sir." During which
speech, Adam contrived, once more, to fall against, to tread upon, and
to jostle the highly incensed Mr. Grimes back into the crowd again.
Thereafter he became a Nemesis to Mr. Grimes, haunting him through the
jungle of chairs, and tables, pursuing him into distant corners, and
shady places, where, so sure as the sausage-like finger poised itself
for an interrogatory poke, or the fat, red fist doubled itself for a
spring-testing punch, the innocent-seeming Adam would thereupon fall
against him from the rear, sideways, or in front.

Meanwhile, Bellew sat in his secluded corner, watching the crowd through
the blue wreaths of his pipe, but thinking of her who, brave though she
was, had nevertheless run away from it all at the last moment.
Presently, however, he was aware that the Corn-chandler had seated
himself on the other side of the chiffonier, puffing, and panting with
heat, and indignation,--where he was presently joined by another
individual,--a small, rat-eyed man, who bid Mr. Grimes a deferential
"Good-day!"

"That there Adam," puffed the Corn-chandler, "that there Adam ought to
be throwed out into the stables where he belongs. I never see a man as
was so much growed to feet and elbers, in all my days! He ought to be
took," repeated the Corn-chandler, "and shook, and throwed out into
the yard."

"Yes," nodded the other, "took, and shook, and throwed out--neck, and
crop, sir! And now,--what might you think o' the furniture, Mr. Grimes?"

"So so, Parsons," nodded Grimes, "so so!"

"Shall you buy?"

"I am a-going," said the Corn-chandler with much deliberation, "I am
a-going to take them tapestry cheers, sir, likewise the grand-feyther
clock in the corner here, likewise the four-post bed-stead wi' the
carved 'ead-board,--and--most particular, Parsons, I shall take this
here side-board. There ain't another piece like this in the county, as I
know of,--solid ma-hogany, sir!--and the carvings!" and here