ed, and with
Mandane's magnificent scarf put on for the first time) is not quite
omissible. But then things become intricate. Our old friend Spithridates
comes back, and has first love affairs and afterwards an enormous
_recit_-episode with a certain Princess of Pontus, whom Cyrus,
reminding one slightly of Bentley on Mr. Pope's _Homer_ and Tommy Merton
on Cider, pronounces to be _belle, blonde, blanche et bien faite_, but
not Mandane; and who has the further charm of possessing, for the first
time in literature if one mistakes not, the renowned name of Araminta. A
pair of letters between these two will be useful as specimens, and to
some, it may be hoped, agreeable in themselves.

SPITHRIDATES TO THE PRINCESS ARAMINTA

[Sidenote: Her correspondence with Spithridates.]

I depart, Madam, because you wish it: but, in departing, I
am the most unhappy of all men. I know not whither I go; nor
when I shall return; nor even if you wish that I _should_
return; and yet they tell me I must live and hope. But I
should not know how to do either the one or the other,
unless you order me to do both by two lines in your own
hand. Therefore I beg them of you, divine Princess--in the
name of an illustrious person, now no more, [_her brother
Sinnesis, who had been a great friend of his_], but who will
live for ever in the memory of

SPITHRIDATES.

[_He can hardly have hoped for anything better than the
following answer, which is much more "downright Dunstable"
than is usual here._]

ARAMINTA TO SPITHRIDATES

Live as long as it shall please the Gods to allow you. Hope
as long as Araminta lives--she begs you: and even if you
yourself wish to live, she orders you to do so.

[_In other words he says, "My own Araminta, say 'Yes'!" and
she does. This attitude necessarily involves the despair of
a Rival, who writes thus:_]

PHARNACES TO THE PRINCESS ARAMINTA

If Fortune seconds my designs, I go to a place where I shall
conquer _and_ die--where I shall make known, by my generous
despair, that if I could not deserve your affection by my
services, I shall have at least not made myself unworthy of
your compassion by my death.

[_And, to do him justice, he "goes and does it."_]

This episode, however, did not induce Mademoiselle Madeleine to break
her queer