Madame’s very intellectual brow was over-clouded with storm.  She turned upon the Prophet.

“And what of this person, Mr. Vivian?” she cried.  “What of her and this oath?”

The Prophet, who was secretly very delighted with the diversion he had so cleverly created, hastened to reply,—­

“I have promised most solemnly to meet her to-night at a house in the Zoological Gardens!”

“A house in the Zoological Gardens!”

“I mean at the Zoological House, the residence of Mrs. Vane Bridgeman, who is—­”

But, at this point in his explanation, the Prophet was interrupted by both his hearers.

“The Jellybrand one!” cried Mr. Sagittarius.

“The prophets’ patron!” vociferated Madame.

CHAPTER XVI

THE PROPHET RETURNS FROM THE MOUSE WITH TWO OLD AND VALUED FRIENDS

At these exclamations the Prophet started in some surprise.

“You know this lady?” he asked.

“By repute, sir,” replied Mr. Sagittarius.

“Who does not?” cried Madame.  “She built the ‘Prophets’ Rest’ at Birchington.”

“And the Mediums’ Almshouses at Sunnington.”

“And the ‘Palmists’ Retreat’ at Millaby Bay.”

“And the—­”

“I see you know all about her,” interposed the Prophet.  “Well, she is giving a reception to-night at Zoological House and I have sworn to be there.  But I shall get home by eleven.  You will understand, however, that I cannot have the pleasure of entertaining Mr. Sagittarius during the evening under my own roof.  I regret this extremely, but you see it is unavoidable.”

To the Prophet’s great surprise this lucid explanation was received by his hearers with a strange silence and a combined meditative, and even moony, staring which was to him inexplicable.  Both Madame and Mr. Sagittarius seemed suddenly immersed in contemplation.  They began, he thought, to look like Buddhists, or like those devoted persons who, in the times of the desert monks, remained for long periods posed upon pillows in sandy wastes musing upon Eternity.  At first, as he met their fixed eyes, he fancied that they were, perhaps, falling into a trance, but presently the conviction seized him that they must be, on the contrary, busily thinking out some problem.  He hoped fervently that he did not form part of it.  At length the quivering silence was broken by Mr. Sagittarius.

“I might accompany you to Mrs. Bridgeman’s, sir,” he said to the Prophet.  “Might I not, Sophronia?”

“Oh, but—­” began the Prophet, very hastily.

“The lady has frequently pressed me to accept of her hospitality.”

“Indeed!”

“For years she has been writing to me at Jellybrand’s, under my real name of Malkiel the Second, you understand.  She addresses me simply as the master.’”

“But do the postal authorities—­”