"you know how deeply the
stars interest me."

"For their own sake, young man?" said Sir Tiglath. "Or as the accursed
avenue interests the foolish virgins--for the sake of frivolity, idle
curiosity, or dark doings which could not support the light even of a
star of the sixth magnitude? Can you tell your admirable and revered
granddam that?"

This time, underneath his preposterous manner and fantastic speech, both
Lady Enid and the Prophet fancied that they could detect an element of
real gravity, even perhaps a hint of weighty censure which made them
both feel very young--rising two, or thereabouts.

"I was originally led to study stars, Sir Tiglath, because I had the
honour to meet you and make your acquaintance," said the Prophet,
valiantly.

The astronomer lapsed at once into his first manner.

"In what fair company did the old astronomer converse with the young
man?" he cried. "His memory faileth him. He doteth and cannot recall the
great occasion."

"It was at the Colley Cibber Club, Sir Tiglath," said the
Prophet, firmly. "But we--we did not converse. You had a--a slight
indisposition."

"Would you venture to imply--in the presence of your notable
granddam--that one had looked upon the wine when it was red, young man?"

"You had a glass of port by you certainly, Sir Tiglath. But you also
had a cold which, you gave me to understand--by signs--had affected your
throat and prevented you from carrying on conversation.

"Then was it the vision of the old astronomer's personal and starry
beauty that led you, hot foot, to Venus through yonder telescope?
Oh-h-h-h!"

"I did not take observations of Venus first," answered the Prophet,
with a certain proud reserve. "I began by an examination into 'The Milky
Way.'"

Sir Tiglath impounded another crumpet.

"Go on, young man," he cried. "The old astronomer lendeth ear."

The Prophet, who felt very much like a nervous undergraduate undergoing
a _viva-voce_ examination, continued,--

"I became deeply interested, strongly attracted by the--the heavenly
bodies. They fascinated me. I could think of nothing else."

Lady Enid's Scottish lips tightened almost imperceptibly.

"I could talk of nothing else," proceeded the Prophet. "Could I,
grannie?"

"No, indeed, Hennessey," assented Mrs. Merillia. "All other topics were
banished from discussion."

"All," cried the Prophet, with increasing fervour and lack of
self-consciousness. "I could not tear myself from the