"Well, my young heroes," said Mrs. Pounce (always loud, always cheerful, and always familiar with her guests), "what do you want with me now?""Take a glass of champagne, my darling," said Cosway; "and let me try if I can get my arm round your waist. That's all _I_ want with you."The landlady passed this over without notice. Though she had spoken to both of them, her cunning little eyes rested on Stone from the moment when she appeared in the room. She knew by instinct the man who disliked her--and she waited deliberately for Stone to reply.
"We have been here some time," he said, "and we shall be obliged, ma'am, if you will let us have our bill."Mrs. Pounce lifted her eyebrows with an expression of innocent surprise.
"Has the captain got well, and must you go on board to-night?"she asked.
"Nothing of the sort!" Cosway interposed. "We have no news of the captain, and we are going to the theater to-night.""But," persisted Stone, "we want, if you please, to have the bill.""Certainly, sir," said Mrs. Pounce, with a sudden assumption of respect. "But we are very busy downstairs, and we hope you will not press us for it to-night?""Of course not!" cried Cosway.