agdeburg Square?" (Lady Gorgon had a house in Baker
Street, and a dismal house it was.) "NOT here," continued she, rightly
interpreting Lucy's silence, "NOT here?--and may I ask how long is it
that young ladies have been allowed to walk abroad without chaperons,
and to--to take a part in such scenes as that which we have just seen
acted?"

To this question--and indeed it was rather difficult to answer--Miss
Gorgon had no reply. There were the six grey eyes of her cousins
glowering at her; there was George Augustus Frederick examining her with
an air of extreme wonder, Mademoiselle the governess turning her looks
demurely away, and awful Lady Gorgon glancing fiercely at her in front.
Not mentioning the footman and poodle, what could a poor modest timid
girl plead before such an inquisition, especially when she was clearly
guilty? Add to this, that as Lady Gorgon, that majestic woman, always
remarkable for her size and insolence of demeanour, had planted herself
in the middle of the path, and spoke at the extreme pitch of her voice,
many persons walking in the neighbourhood had heard her Ladyship's
speech and stopped, and seemed disposed to await the rejoinder.

"For Heaven's sake, Aunt, don't draw a crowd around us," said Lucy, who,
indeed, was glad of the only escape that lay in her power. "I will
tell you of the--of the circumstances of--of my engagement with this
gentleman--with Mr. Perkins," added she, in a softer tone--so soft that
the 'ERKINS was quite inaudible.

"A Mr. What? An engagement without consulting your guardians!" screamed
her Ladyship. "This must be looked to! Jerningham, call round my
carriage. Mademoiselle, you will have the goodness to walk home with
Master Gorgon, and carry him, if you please, where there is wet; and,
girls, as the day is fine, you will do likewise. Jerningham, you will
attend the young ladies. Miss Gorgon, I will thank you to follow me
immediately." And so saying, and looking at the crowd with ineffable
scorn, and at Mr. Perkins not at all, the lady bustled away forwards,
the files of Gorgon daughters and governess closing round and enveloping
poor Lucy, who found herself carried forward against her will, and in a
minute seated in her aunt's coach, along with that tremendous person.

Her case was bad enough, but what was it to Perkins's? Fancy his blank
surprise and rage at having his love thus suddenly ravished from
him, and his delicious tete-a-tete interrupted. He managed, i