sh: I am interrupted. [_Exit_ CORYDON.

_Enter_ OLD HUMBUG _and his_ SON, _talking._

_Old Hum._ It is for that reason that I wish you to follow my advice.
Are you convinced of its propriety?

_Young Hum._ I am, sir, and will certainly act in the manner you have
pointed out to me.

_Old Hum._ Then let us return to the house. [_Exeunt._

SCENE II.--_A parlour in_ HUMBUG'S _house_. Mrs. HUMBUG _and_ FANNY
_discovered at work._

_Mrs. Hum._ You understand me, my love?

_Fanny._ Perfectly, ma'am: pray continue your narration.

_Mrs. Hum._ Alas! it is nearly concluded; for I have nothing more to say
on the subject.

_Fanny._ Ah! here is Daphne.

_Enter_ DAPHNE.

_Daphne._ My dear Mrs. Humbug, how d'ye do? Oh! Fanny, it is all over.

_Fanny._ Is it indeed!

_Mrs. Hum._ I'm very sorry to hear it.

_Fanny._ Then 'twas to no purpose that I----

_Daphne._ None upon earth.

_Mrs. Hum._ And what is to become of----?

_Daphne._ Oh! 'tis all settled. (_Whispers_ Mrs. HUMBUG.)

_Fanny._ And how is it determined?

_Daphne._ I'll tell you. (_Whispers_ FANNY.)

_Mrs. Hum._ And is he to----?

_Daphne._ I'll tell you all I know of the matter. (_Whispers_ Mrs.
HUMBUG _and_ FANNY.)

_Fanny._ Well, now I know everything about it, I'll go away.

_Mrs. Hum._} And so will I. [_Exeunt._
_Daphne._ }

SCENE III.--_The curtain rises, and discovers_ Sir EDWARD SPANGLE
_reclined in an elegant attitude on a sofa fast asleep._

_Enter_ Col. ELLIOTT.

_Col. E._ My daughter is not here, I see. There lies Sir Edward. Shall I
tell him the secret? No, he'll certainly blab it. But he's asleep, and
won't hear me, so I'll e'en venture. (_Goes up to_ Sir EDWARD, _whispers
him, and exit._)

_End of the First Act. Finis._

* * * * *

A somewhat later venture, pure extravaganza, called _Evelyn_ is
dedicated, by permission, to Miss Mary Lloyd.

The manuscript volume which contains _Evelyn_ is grandly entitled on the
outside 'Volume the Third'; on the inside 'Effusions of Fancy by a very
Young Lady, consisting of Tales in a Style entirely new.' It contains
one other tale, unfinished, but of considerable length, called _Kitty or
the Bower_, which is preceded by the following dedication, dated
'Steventon, August 1792.'

TO MISS AUSTEN.

MADAM,--Encouraged by your warm patronage of _The
Beautif