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LAST FUNEREAL RITES

They never observed me when I crept into the servants' hall, and took the key of the wicket off the porter's hook behind the side-door. I got out from the old folks, and have them fast locked under this other key. Now, dear lady, if you would condescend to disguise yourself like one such as I, we might all go to the Abbot of Unreason, and get our fortunes read over and over, before the old tipsy fools awake from their heavy sleep, side by side where they sit."

"Poor souls," said Dulsibella, "want of employment or proper amusement has led them to kill time over their cups. Surely, living in society has at least one advantage: people need not be tempted to the abuse or oblivion of their rational faculties on account of a deficiency in the means that should exercise them."

"But, dear my lady, should we not be going? One of your own long-lawn morning-dresses and your own beautiful ringlets will answer charmingly to make you pass for a girl such as I."

Dulsibella languidly smiled at a comparison with her waiting-damsel, and after a pause said with a graver aspect and voice, "I will gratify you, my good Alice, so far as to admit some of the fortune-tellers by the wicket. I have no objection to see them as a simple country maid—more simple than you, Alice,

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