something wrong about the way you pronounces your words.'

Vandeloup hardly thought Miss Twexby a mistress of Queen's English,
but he did not attempt to contradict her.

'I must get you to give me a few lessons,' he replied, gallantly,
setting down the empty glass; 'and what has Mr Villiers gone out
into the heat for?'

'It's more nor I can tell,' said Martha, emphatically, nodding her
head till the short curls dangling over her ears vibrated as if they
were made of wire. 'He spoke to the dumb man and drew pictures for
him, and then off he goes.'

The dumb man! Gaston pricked up his ears at this, and, wondering
what Villiers wanted to talk to Pierre about, he determined to find
out.

'That dumb man is one of our miners from the Pactolus,' he said,
lighting another cigarette; 'I wish to speak to him--has he gone out
also?'

'No, he ain't,' returned Miss Twexby, decisively; 'he's gone to lie
down; d'ye want to see him; I'll send for him--' with her hand on
the bell-rope.

'No, thank you,' said Vandeloup, stopping her, 'I'll go up to his
room if you will show me the way.'

'Oh, I don't mind,' said Martha, preparing to leave the bar, but