Mr.Jeremiah, though no less agitated, protested he should not.

'I will, by all that's magnanimous,' said Mr.Fabian.

'By the memory of Curtius, or whatever else is most sacred in self-sacrifice, you shall not,' said Mr.Jeremiah.

'Hear me, thou light of day,' said Mr.Fabian kneeling.

'Hear _me_,' interrupted Mr.Jeremiah, kneeling also: yes, the Schnackenberger knelt, but carefully and by circumstantial degree; for he was big and heavy as a rhinoceros, and afraid of capsizing, and perspired freely.