As I was saying, sir, I desire the pleasure of introducing you to my wife, Mrs.Mortimer, better known to fame, perhaps, as Miss Arabella St.Maur.

You see her, Mr.Bossom, as my helpmeet under circumstances which (though temporarily unfavourable) call forth the true woman--naked, in a figurative sense, and unadorned.

But her Ophelia, sir, has been favourably, nay enthusiastically, approved by some of the best critics of our day." This again left Sam gravelled.

He had a vague notion that the lady's Ophelia must be some admired part of her anatomy, but contented himself with touching his brow politely and muttering that he was Mrs.
Mortimer's to command.

The lady, who appeared to be what Sam called to himself a good sort, smiled down on him graciously, and hoped that she and her husband might be favoured with his company at supper.
"It's very kind of _you_, ma'am," responded Sam; "but 'fact is I han't knocked off work yet.