I demanded an explanation, and I got it on the promise that I would not mention the matter to the other Arcadians.
[Illustration] "Several years having elapsed," said Pettigrew, "since I pretended to smoke and enjoy my first Celebro, I could not now undeceive my wife--it would be such a blow to her.

At the time it could have been done easily.
She began by making trial of a few.

There were seven of them in an envelope; and I knew at once that she had got them for a shilling.

She had heard me saying that eightpence is a sad price to pay for a cigar--I prefer them at tenpence--and a few days afterward she produced her first Celebros.

Each of them had, and has, a gold ribbon round it, bearing the legend, 'Non plus ultra.' She was shy and timid at that time, and I thought it very brave of her to go into the shop herself and ask for the Celebros, as advertised; so I thanked her warmly.