old Kicksey, and I respect her
for it. The poor hunchback flung herself into Miss's arms, with a kind
of whooping screech, and kep there for some time, sobbing in quite a
historical manner. I saw there was going to be a sean, and so, in cors,
left the door ajar.

"Welcome to Saint Cloud, Algy my boy!" says my lord, in a loud, hearty
voice. "You thought you would give us the slip, eh, you rogue? But
we knew it, my dear fellow: we knew the whole affair--did we not, my
soul?--and you see, kept our secret better than you did yours."

"I must confess, sir," says Deuceace, bowing, "that I had no idea of the
happiness which awaited me in the shape of a mother-in-law."

"No, you dog; no, no," says my lord, giggling: "old birds, you know, not
to be caught with chaff, like young ones. But here we are, all spliced
and happy, at last. Sit down, Algernon; let us smoke a segar, and talk
over the perils and adventures of the last month. My love," says my
lord, turning to his lady, "you have no malice against poor Algernon, I
trust? Pray shake HIS HAND." (A grin.)

But my lady rose and said, "I have told Mr. Deuceace, that I never
wished to see him, or speak to him, more. I see no reason, now, to
change my opinion." And herewith she sailed out of the room, by the door
through which Kicksey had carried poor Mrs. Deuceace.

"Well, well," says my lord, as Lady Crabs swept by, "I was in hopes she
had forgiven you; but I know the whole story, and I must confess you
used her cruelly ill. Two strings to your bow!--that was your game, was
it, you rogue?"

"Do you mean, my lord, that you know all that past between me and Lady
Grif--Lady Crabs, before our quarrel?"

"Perfectly--you made love to her, and she was almost in love with
you; you jilted her for money, she got a man to shoot your hand off in
revenge: no more dice-boxes, now, Deuceace; no more sauter la coupe. I
can't think how the deuce you will manage to live without them."

"Your lordship is very kind; but I have given up play altogether," says
Deuceace, looking mighty black and uneasy.

"Oh, indeed! Benedick has turned a moral man, has he? This is better and
better. Are you thinking of going into the church, Deuceace?"

"My lord, may I ask you to be a little more serious?"

"Serious! a quoi bon? I am serious--serious in my surprise that, when
you might have had either of these women, you should have preferred that
hideous wife of yours."

"May I ask you, in turn, how y