Hearing you were from home, she called to me and bade me take a message for you.

I prayed her to write it, but she laughed, and said she spoke more easily than she wrote; and she bade me say that she wished to see you." "What sort of lady was she, Jonah ?" "She sat all the while in the coach, sir, but she seemed not tall; she was very merry, sir." Jonah sighed deeply; with him merriment stood high among the vices of our nature.
"She didn't say for what purpose she wanted me ?" I asked as carelessly as I could.
"No, sir.

She said you would know the purpose, and that she would look for you at noon to-morrow." "But where, Jonah ?" "At a house called Burford House, sir, in Chelsea." "She gave you no name ?" "I asked her name, and she gave me one." "What was it ?" "It was a strange heathenish name, and she laughed as she gave it; indeed she laughed all the time." "There's no sin in laughter," said I dryly.

"You may leave me, I need no help in undressing." "But the name----" "By Heaven, man, I know the name! Be off with you!" He shuffled off, his whole manner expressing reprobation, whether most of my oath, or of the heathenish name, or of the lady who gave it, I know not.
Well, if he were so horror-stricken at these things, what would he say at learning with whom he had talked?
Perhaps he would have preached to her, as had Phineas Tate, his master in religion.

For, beyond doubt, that heathenish name was Cydaria, and that fine coach with Flemish horses--I left the question of that coach unanswered.
The moment the door was shut behind my servant I sprang to my feet, crying in a low but very vehement voice, "Never!" I would not go.