the capture of its human exemplar. This may help account for the
otherwise rather curious coincidence of frightful physiognomy and
preternatural goodness in this world of sinful beauties[B]. Under such a
theory, Mr. DIBBLE'S easy means of frightening the Arch-Tempter into
immediate flight, and keeping himself free from all possible incitement
to be anything but good, were a face, head and neck shaped not unlike an
old-fashioned water-pitcher, and a form suggestive of an obese lobster
balancing on an upright horse-shoe. His nose was too high up; his mouth
and chin bulged too tremendously; his neck inside a whole mainsail of
shirt-collar was too much fluted, and his eyes were as much too small
and oyster-like as his ears were too large and horny.

Mr. DIBBLE found his ward in Miss CAROWTHER'S own private room, from
which even the government mails were generally excluded; and, after
saluting both ladies, and politely desiring the elder to remain present,
in order to be sure that his conversation was strictly moral, the
monstrous old gentleman pulled a memorandum book from his pocket and
addressed himself to FLORA.

"I am a square man myself, dear kissling," he said, with much double
chin in his manner, "and like to do everything on the square. I am now
'interviewing' you, and shall make notes of your answers, though not
necessarily for publication. First: is your health satisfactory?"

Miss POTTS admitted that, excepting occasional attacks of insatiable
longing for True Sympathy, chiefly produced by over-eating of pickles
and slate-pencils to avert excessive plumpness, she could generally take
pie twice without experiencing a subsequent reactionary tendency to
piety and gloomy presentiments.