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The Goddess

"Then you'll be so good as to remove him from the station at once. He's already given us more than sufficient trouble."

Lawrence interposed with what he intended to be an assumption of the grand manner.

"My good Mr. Railway-porter, or whatever you may be, I will remove myself from your objectionable station without any hint from you. My destination was Ostend, and is now Pimlico. This is an acquaintance of mine who owes me £1880; but I don't require him to take charge of me. There already is somebody who does that. Can't you hear her? That's her laughing."

"Come," I said. "Let's get into a cab."

"Thank you, I prefer walking. Nothing like exercise when you are liverish. Are you alone?"

Miss Moore came through the crowd.

"No; I am with him."

He stared at her as if in doubt; then with sudden recognition—

"Ah! It is the sister of the brother—the affectionate relative of our dear Tom—the beautiful Miss Moore! It is like a scene out of one of the plays in which you are the bright, particular star. The ghosts are gathering round. You were there; you saw her?"

"Who?"

"The Goddess!"

"Was it—a Goddess?"