'Good night, Messrs Villiers and Jarper,' said Vandeloup, going out
of the door, 'I will see you to-morrow.'

'And we also, I hope,' said Mr Wopples, ungrammatically. 'Come and
see "The Cruet Stand" again. I'll put your name on the free list.'

M. Vandeloup thanked the actor warmly for this kind offer, and took
himself off; as he passed along the street he heard a burst of
laughter from the Wopples family, no doubt caused by some witticism
of the head of the clan.

He walked slowly home to the hotel, smoking a cigarette, and
thinking deeply. When he arrived at the 'Wattle Tree' he saw a light
still burning in the bar, and, on knocking at the door, was admitted
by Miss Twexby, who had been making up accounts, and whose virgin
head was adorned with curl-papers.

'My!' said this damsel, when she saw him, 'you are a nice young man
coming home at this hour--twelve o'clock. See?' and, as a proof of
her assertion, she pointed to the clock.

'Were you waiting up for me, dear?' asked Vandeloup, audaciously.

'Not I,' retorted Miss Twexby, tossing her curl-papers; 'I've been
attending to par's business; but, oh, gracious!' with a sudden
recollection of her head-gear, 'you've seen me in undress.'

'And you look more charming than ever,' finished Vandeloup, as he
took his bedroom candle from her. 'I will see you in the morning. My
friend still asleep, I suppose?'