[_Exit hurriedly, after kissing his hand. The Footmen
reappear, and take away the large box. Applause, and Curtain._

There, my dear _Mr. Punch_, is the rough idea. I feel sure it could be
carried through with the greatest possible advantage.

Believe me, yours most truly, AN EARNEST PATRIOT.

* * * * *

THE QUEEN OF MAN-O'ER-BOARD.

_A NOVEL IN LITTLE FROM A DRAMA IN FULL._

CHAPTER I.--_LADY VIOLET MALVERN AT HOME._

It was a gorgeous entertainment, consisting chiefly of recitations
and the "_Intermezzo_." Lady VIOLET MALVERN was _the_ life and soul
of the party. But there were lesser lights in a Baron FINOT, an old
diplomatist, and a Major GARRETT, an officer in retreat. Then came
ARMAND SEVARRO. He was an adventurer, and a friend of Baron FINOT, and
had a solitary anecdote.

"I am going to be married to a young lady of the name of DOROTHY
BLAIR, but cannot reveal the secret, because her mother is not well
enough to hear the news."

Then ARMAND met Lady VIOLET.

"I dreamed years ago of going to the City of Manoa to find its queen.