* * * * *

[Illustration: Epilogue]

AN OPEN LETTER TO FRANCE.

Mr. Punch had kissed the lady's hand and she had smiled upon him very
graciously, for they were old friends.

"I have brought you a letter from myself," he said.

"Shall I read it while you wait?" said Madame la France.

"Please, no. I never read my contributors' compositions in their presence.
It is embarrassing to both sides. And I want you to take your time over
this one, and consider carefully whether it is suitable for publication in
your Press. I have enclosed a stamped and addressed envelope, to be
utilized in the event of your deciding to return my communication with
regrets. In any case I propose to publish it in my own paper, _The London
Charivari_."

[_Here begins the letter_:--

"NEAREST AND DEAREST OF ALLIES.--You and I (I speak for my country, though
I have not been asked to do so) have gone through so much together that it
would be an infinite pity if any misunderstanding were suffered to cloud
our friendship for want of a little candour on my part. No _Entente_ can
retain its cordiality without mutual candour; and hitherto the reticence
has been all on our side.