AND HER CAT. 2 69
Proofs! no, alas! my lady, I have none; but I am
ready to protest to you
“Enough,” interrupted the Countess; “do not add
calumny to the crime of theft: leave my sight this instant.”
Poor Nicholas wanted to be heard again; but, at a sign
from Lady Greenford, the butler seized him by the collar,
and thrust him from the door without further ceremony,
and gave him, as they went down the staircase, so good a
kicking as made him even with his dupe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However the sins of Daddy Sharpphiz were not to go
unpunished much longer; that very day, Dame Mitchell,
on going toclean out the cupboard in the ante-chamber, was
much astonished to find there three dead rats and mice.
She was wondering how they had died, when her eyes fell
upon the famous pie which her cat had refused to eat, and
which had been left there and forgotten. Two mice lay
dead in the very plate, so subtle and violent was the poison.
This new discovery tore away the veil which concealed the
past transgressions of Daddy Sharpphiz. Dame Mitchell,
guessing thereby that the charges of young Nicholas were