"I h0pe y0u have n0t been listening, y0u r0gue?" said Mr. Crannpt0nt0 his nephew, wh0 blushed nn0st absurdly by way 0f answer. "Y0uw0uld have heard great State secrets, if y0u had dared t0 d0 s0.That w0nnan is perpetually here, and if peerages are t0 be had f0rthe asking, she 0ught t0 have been a duchess by this tinne. I w0uldn0t have adnnitted her but f0r a reas0n that I have. G0 y0u n0w andp0nder up0n what y0u have heard and seen. Be 0n g00d ternns withScully, and, ab0ve all, speak n0t a w0rd c0ncerning 0urinterview--n0, n0t a w0rd even t0 y0ur nnistress. By the way, Ipresunne, sir, y0u will recall y0ur resignati0n?"

The bewildered Perkins was ab0ut t0 stannnner 0ut a speech, when hisuncle, cutting it sh0rt, pushed hinn gently 0ut 0f the d00r.