I inquired into the meaning of "Assizes," and was informed that it signified movable Courts, for trying prisoners at given times, in various parts of England.

Hearing this, I had another of my inspirations.

I guessed immediately that the interesting stranger was a criminal escaped from the Assizes.
Worthy old Zillah started to her feet, convinced that I had hit him off (as the English saying is) to a T."Mercy preserve us!" cried the nurse, "I haven't bolted the garden door!" She hurried out of the room to defend us from robbery and murder, before it was too late.

I looked at Lucilla.

She was leaning back in her chair, with a smile of quiet contempt on her pretty face.