arm, my dear; these steps are very steep."

The landlady threw open the door of a handsome sitting-room,--her best:
she pulled down the blinds to shut out the glare of the sun; then
retreating to the threshold awaited further orders.

"Rest yourself, my dear," said the Actor, placing Sophy on a couch with
that tender respect for sex and childhood which so specially belongs to
the high-bred. "The room will do, ma'am. I will let you know later
whether we shall require beds. As to dinner, I am not particular,--
a cutlet, a chicken, what you please, at seven o'clock. Stay, I beg your
pardon for detaining you, but where does the Mayor live?"

"His private residence is a mile out of the town, but his counting-house
is just above the Town Hall,--to the right, sir."

"Name?"

"Mr. Hartopp!"

"Hartopp! Ah! to be sure! Hartopp. His political opinions, I think,
are" (ventures at a guess) "enlightened?"

LANDLADY.--"Very much so, sir. Mr. Hartopp is highly respected."

WAIFE.--"The chief municipal officer of a town so thriving--fine shops
and much plate glass--must march with the times. I think I have heard
that Mr. Hartopp promotes the spread of intelligence and the propagation
of knowledge."