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A SHABBY GENTEEL STORY 71
Square, they passed the house of Mr. Fincham, chemist, who doth
not only healthful drugs supply, but likewise sells cigars—the
worst cigars that ever mortal man gave threepence for.
Up to this point, I say, I have had a right to accompany the
fat lady and Miss Runt; but whether, on arriving at Mr. Fincham's,
they turned to the left, in the direction of the " Royal Hotel," or
to the right, by the beach, the bathing-machines, and queer rickety
old row of houses, called Buenos Ayres, no power on earth shall
induce me to say; suffice it, they went to Mrs. Gann's. Why
should we set all the world gadding to a particular street, to know
where that lady lives ? They arrived before that lady's house at
about eight o'clock. Every house in the street had bills on it
except hers (bitter mockery, as if anybody came down at Easter !),
and at Mrs. Gann's house there was a light in the garret, and
another in the two-pair front. I believe I have not mentioned
before, that all the front windows were bow or bay windows ; but
so much the reader may know.
The two ladies, who had walked so far, examined wistfully the
plate on the door, stood on the steps for a short time, retreated,
and conversed with one another.
" Oh, Runty !" said the stouter of the two, " he's here—I
know he's here, mong cure le dee—my heart tells me so." And
she put a large hand upon a place on her left side, where there
once had been a waist.
"Do you think he looks front or back, dear?" asked Runt.
" P'raps he's not at home."
"That—that's his croisy," said the stout person; "I know
it is;" and she pointed with instinctive justice to the two-pair.
" Ecouty!" she added, " he's coming ; there's some one at that
window. Oh, mong jew, mong jew! c'est André, c'est lui!"
The moon was shining full on the face of the bow-windows of
Mrs. Gann's house ; and the two fair spies, who were watching on
the other side, were, in consequence, completely in shadow. As
the lady said, a dark form was seen in the two-pair front ; it paced
the room for a while, for no blinds were drawn. It then flung
itself on a chair ; its head on its hands ; it then began to beat its
brows wildly, and paced the room again. Ah ! how the fat lady's
heart throbbed as she looked at all this !
She gave a piercing shriek—almost fainted ! and little Runt's
knees trembled under her, as with all her might she supported, or
rather pushed up, the falling figure of her stout patroness,—who
saw at that instant Fitch come to the candle with an immense
pistol in his hand, and give a most horrible grin as he looked at it
and clasped it to his breast.