Beatrice.

incidents and its affecting episodes . Indeed , to this hour many of the inhabitants talk of what took place with " bated breath " and suppressed emotion , as if of something very awe-inspiring ancl weird , and those who keep diaries have no doubt jotted down the occurrence of that day with a large amount of underlined passages ancl notes of admiration ancl exclamation . We all of us ( the writer pleads guilty to the soft impeachment ) are too fond of

underlining our words , and our dear female friends , our fairest ancl our most cherished , come out very strong in this particular . . Indeed , if you wish to judge of the strength of their wrists , by the vigour of their " dashes " and interlineations , you would hesitate in coming to " close quarters " with them , or anything that betokens a " scrimmage , " as Mrs . Finnigan has it . But this , as our French friends so elegantly express themselves—en parenthese s'il

vous plait . It appears that early in the morning of that eventful day , a " little gentleman in black , " who had come clown b y the mail train , had had a long interview Avith the sagacious Brummer , and after that he had been dul y fortified with a good breakfast , went with Brummer to pay a visit to the distinguished Grogwitz , his fascinating sponse , ancl the intrepid ancl modest Kirschenwasser . They found these worthies in the comfortable hostelry afore

• mentioned , with the remains of a savoury ( if strongly smelling ) breakfast on the table , and the two masculine heroes were solacing their agitated nerves , ancl strengthening their impaired digestions , with cigarettes ancl " B . and S . " But they were very comfortable , ancl they made old Brummer ' s eye gleam in somewhat a peculiar manner A \ hen he saw them , because , as he said afterwards , " when I beheld these two rascals fattening on the fat of the land , and

remembered hoAv many honest poor wanted the necessaries of life—sapperment , that is alb— I thought a very great deal to myself indeed , a very great deal , I assure you . " When the waiter introduced the two visitors as "Gentlemen on , business to see Mr . Grogwitz , " Grogwitz rose with the greatest alacrity and amiability on his face , though his better half gave a sort of sulky look , which even took the appearance of fright , ancl Kirschenwasser Avas alread y too " tig ht '' to care much about anybody or anything .

hiut brogwitz s countenance , when he recognised the "gentleman in black " ancl Brummer , was most amusing . He looked at his Avife , but she had sat down , apparently very much alarmed , ancl in a sort of indistinct gurgle he stammered out , "Ah , my friend , vat brings you to these parts ? Your servant , sir . I tink I have seen you someveres , " speaking to Brummer . " Yes , Mr . Grogwitz , " said Brummer , very civily , but firmly and slowly , " You are quite rightyou have seen me someA eresI need not IIOAV vere

, , say . You know me very well , and so does that charming lady there . I have come here to have a little quiet conversation with you on a very pressing subject , and I have no doubt that with the aid of your friend ancl my friend here , who has been good enough to accompany me , the business I am upon will be brought to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion . " " I really do not understand" was Mr . Grogwitz ' s lthough he spoke

, repy , hesitatingly , and his face glistened with fear , ancl his hand shook visibl y , " to vat you can possibly allude , worthy sir , or vat business you can ave wid me ; least of all do I understand vy our mutual friend should have honoured me with a call . " The mutual friend merel y bowed , his time for speaking had not yet come . " Do you , " Grogwitz saicl , turning to his wife , " do you understand , mv'dear ? "

But the fair Grogwitz for some reason , either because she knew too much , or knew it Avould be of little avail , evidently was not anxious to " show fight , " and her whole response consisted of two emphatic sentences : " It ' s no o-o , Grogwitz , —we had better mizzle . " Elegant and appropriate apostrophe ! " Mizzle ! " who says anything about whetting one ' s whistle , " chimes in

drowsily Kirschenwasser . " I am very dry ; I want some more liquor . "