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"'Sixteen thousand pounds of sweet-scented, at ten shillings the

hundredweight; forof

a funeral seran Darden for the

Bishop's information Audrey took her pen and wrote; but before the list

of the minister's perquisites had come to an end the door flew open, and a

woman with the face of a vixen came hurriedly into the roo before it the s the papers from the table to the floor

Darden stamped his foot "Woman, I have business, I tell ye,--business

with the Bishop of London! I've kept his Lordship at the door this

se'nnight, and if I give him not audience Blair will presently be down uon

me with tooth and nail and his ancient threat of a visitation Begone and

keep the house! Audrey, where are you, child?"

"Audrey, leave the roo to say

that's not for your ears Let her go, Darden There's news, I tell you"

The lanced at his wife; then knocked the ashes from his pipe and

nodded dismissal to Audrey His late secretary slipped from her seat and

left the room, not without alacrity