*

THE TRAVELLING COMPANIONS.

NO. XXIV.

SCENE--_The Piazza of St. Mark at night. The roof and part
of the facade gleam a greenish silver in the moonlight. The
shadow of the Campanile falls, black and broad, across the
huge square, which is crowded with people listening to the
Military Band, and taking coffee, &c., outside the caffes.
Miss TROTTER and CULCHARD are seated at one of the little
tables in front of the Quadri._

_Miss T._ I'd like ever so much to know why it is you're so anxious
to see that Miss PRENDERGAST and me friendly again? After she's been
treating you this long while like you were a toad--and not a popular
kind of toad at that!

_Culch._ (_wincing_). Of course I am only too painfully aware of--of
a certain distance in her manner towards me, but I should not think
of allowing myself to be influenced by any--er--merely personal
considerations of that sort.

_Miss T._ That's real noble! And I presume, now, you cann't imagine
any reason why she's been treading you so flat.

[Illustration: "A mean cuss? Me! Really--"]

_Culch._ (_with a shrug_). I really haven't troubled to speculate Who
can tell how one may, quite unconsciously, give offence--even to those
who are--er--comparative strangers?

_Miss T._ Just so. (_A pause._) Well, Mr. CULCHARD, if I wanted
anything to confirm my opinion of you, I guess you've given it me!

_Culch._ (_internally_). It's very unfortunate that she _will_ insist
on idealising me like this!

_Miss T._ Maybe, now, you can form a pretty good idea already what
that opinion is?

_Culch._ (_in modest deprecation_). You give me some reason for
inferring that it is far higher than I deserve.

_Miss T._ Well, I don't know that you've missed your guess altogether.
Are you through your ice-cream yet?

_Culch._ Almost. (_He finishes his ice._) It is really most
refreshing!

_Miss T._ Then, now you're refreshed, I'll tell you what I think about
you. (_CULCHARD resigns himself to enthusiasm._) My opinion of you,
Mr. CULCHARD, is that, taking you by and large, you amount to what we
Amurrcans describe as "a pretty mean cuss."

_Culch._ (_genuinely surprised_). A mean cuss? Me! Really, this
unjustifiable language is _most_--!

_Miss T._ Well, I don't just know what your dictionary term would
be for a man who goes and vows exclusive devotion to one young lady,
while he's waiting for his answer from another, and keeps his head
close shut t