l robe which costumes our
united souls, woven from the texture of our affections.

_Ad_. [_falling on his knees, kisses its hem_]. Sweet symbol of
sanctified intuitions! Tit-tit-tit-transparent--though it may seem tot-
tot-tolerably thick; for does it not reveal to me the workings of the
soul of my beb-beb-beloved? Ah, Elaine, how trifling do earthly
treasures seem, compared with those of the affections! You will be mine,
for ever mine, dud-dud-darling, will you not--even though I may not have
the riches I am supposed to possess?

_El_. Oh, Adolphus! how can you ask me such a question? What is the
wealth of the pocket as compared with the wealth of the soul!

_Ad_. True! oh, quite intensely true!--for how sweetly sings the poet
Oscar on this theme!--

"As like miners we explore
Hidden treasures in the soul,
And we pip-pip-pick the amorous ore
Firmly bedded in its hole;
New emotions come to light,
Flashing in affections' rays,
Scintillating to the sight,
With a tit-tit-tit-transcendental bib-bib-bib-blaze,
Warming us until we burn
With a glow of sacred fire,
And as coals to diamonds turn,
Sparkling in us with did-did-did-desire."

_El_. Oh, quite, quite too lovely! Come, Adolphus--why should we linger
here, now that our troths are plighted? Why should we not at once brave
the world together? I need the sweet scents of the air, the rustle of
leaves, the singing of birds, the chattering of monkeys, and the hum of
nature. Let us go, my love, and walk in the Zoo.

_Ad_. [_rising_]. Dud-dud-dud-do you intend to keep that on?

_El_. What on?

_Ad_. This mystic garment of kuk-kuk-curves and circles.

_El_. No; I will keep it for a pattern and a sweet reminiscence. Now I
will go and put on my Louis Quatorze hat, and be back in a moment, if you
will go and call a hansom.

[_Exit_ Elaine.

[Adolphus _bursts into a fit of uncontrollable laughter_.

[_Exit laughing_.

SCENE V.--The Zoological Gardens.

_El_. How sweet are these sights and sounds when hallowed by the
consciousness of a beloved presence! How one glows with affection
towards every object in nature! Adolphus, dear, don't you feel, with me,
that our hearts warm towards the hippopotamus?

_Ad_. Mine is positively beating with the violence of my affection for
him. If he was not so wet and bib-bib-big, I could throw my arms round
him. Dear hippop-pop-pop-pop-otamoms!

_El_. Oh, look!