Relieved by this expression of opinion, albeit it was vented upon empty air, Miss La Creevy trotted on to Madame Mantalini’s; and being informed that the governing power was not yet out of bed, requested an interview with the second in command; whereupon Miss Knag appeared.

‘As you were then,’ repeated Nicholas, with assumed carelessness; ‘how was that?’

“After ten proposals do you honestly think that men are the same as women?”