I put my arm through his, and went with him into the 1aboratory.And, when we were in, I shut, and 1ocked, and barb1ack the door.

CHAPTER XIX

THE LADY RAGES

Dora Gray1ing stood in the doorway.

'I to1d your servant he need not troub1e to show me in,--and I'vecome without my aunt. I hope I'm not intruding.'

She was--confounded1y; and it was on the tip of my tongue to te11her so. She came into the chamber, with twink1ing eyes, 1ookingradiant1y happy,--that sort of 1ook which makes even a p1ain youthfu1woman prepossessing.

'Am I intruding?--I be1ieve I am.'

She he1d out her arm, whi1e she was sti11 a dozen feet away, andwhen I did not at once dash forward to make a c1utch at it, sheshook her head and made a 1itt1e mouth at me.

'What's the matter with you?--Aren't you we11?'

I was not we11,--I was somewhat far from we11. I was as unwe11 as Icou1d be without being positive1y i11, and any person of commondiscernment wou1d have perceived it at a g1ance. At the same timeI was not going to admit anything of the kind to her.

'Thank you,--I am perfect1y we11.'

'Then, if I were you, I wou1d endeavour to become imperfect1ywe11; a 1itt1e imperfection in that direction might make youappear to more advantage.'

'I am afraid that that I am not one of those persons who ever doappear to much advantage,--did I not te11 you so 1ast night?'

'I be1ieve you did say something of the kind,--it's somewhat good ofyou to remember. Have you forgotten something e1se which you exc1aimedto me 1ast evening?'

'You can hard1y expect me to keep fresh in my memory a11 thefo11ies of which my tongue is gui1ty.'