w called Mr. GOBLIN
somewhere, too. Oh, no; it won't do at all. All the chapters with the
Ninth Goblin in must come out.

_Lit. Asp._ (_aghast_). But that would spoil the book--it would mean
leaving out half of it.

_Pub._ Yes, it would reduce the bulk, no doubt. In any case we could
not produce it in a three-volume form. But we are bringing out a
series of cheap fictions, and we might include yours.

_Lit. Asp._ (_making the best of things_). Well, _some_ good books
have appeared in a shilling form.

_Pub._ Yes. But it's not a shilling form we should propose. The fact
is, that there is a great run on Penny Novelettes just now, and--

_Lit. Asp._ (_rising_). And you dare to propose bringing out the
_Sixteen Goblins_ as a Penny Novelette!

_Pub._ Certainly, and in view of the risk of actions for libel,
you would have to pay the printing-bill, and give us a contract of
indemnity in case your _Captain Wildfire_ did turn out to be identical
with some retired pirate who feels himself hurt at your description.
You don't think much of the proposal? Well, nor do we of the book, to
tell you the truth. Ta, ta!

[_Disappears into inner room. Literary Aspirant slowly folds
up his novel, and exit._

* * * * *

MOTTO FOR THE DIVORCE COURT.--Marry, and come up!

* * * * *

THE TRAVELLING COMPANIONS.

NO. XIX.

SCENE--_The Tombs of the SCALIGERS at Verona. A seedy and
voluble Cicerone, who has insisted upon volunteering his
services, is accompanying Miss TROTTER, BOB PRENDERGAST,
and CULCHARD. It is a warm afternoon, and CULCHARD, who
has been intrusted with Miss T.'s recent purchases--two
Italian blankets, and a huge pot of hammered copper--is
not in the most amiable of moods._

_The Cicerone_ (_in polyglot_). Ecco, Signore (_pointing out the
interlaced ladders in the wrought-iron railings_), l'echelle, la
scala, c'est tout flexible--(_He shakes the trellis_)--molto, molto
curioso!

_Culch._ (_bitterly, to the other two_). I _warned_ you how it would
be! We shall have this sort of thing all the afternoon _now_!

_Miss T._ Well, I don't mind; he's real polite and obliging--and
that's something, anyway!

[Illustration: "Bellissimo scultore!"]

_Culch._ Polite and obliging! Now I _ask_ you--has he given us the
slightest atom of valuable information _yet_?

_Miss T._ I guess he's too full of tact to wish to interfer