Stop a minute ... Rings ... Ah! (_reads_) "accompanied by Mrs. Bouncer, also of the Banbury Light Horse." Of course, that settles it. It is _not_ old Bouncer. Next, "Mr. and Mrs. Winkle, from Pinner." Ah! at last ... "Arrived at the Hotel, der Schwein und die Pfeife," that's here--"Mrs. Penelope Anne Knox." I only heard it the other day at Margate. There she sat. Radiant as ever. A widow for the second time. Originally widow of William Wiggins, of Margate and Ramsgate, and now widow of Nathaniel Knox, of the Docks, with a heap--a perfect heap--of money. Then my old passion returned. I determined to propose to her. I was about to do so, when on the very morning that I was going to throw myself at her feet, I caught this infernal rheumatism, which laid me on my back. When I recovered she was gone. "Where to?" says I. "Aix!" says they. My spirits mounted. I took a vast amount of pains to get to Aix, and here I am. I had heard of some property in Venice, which belonged to the Coxes some hundreds of years ago, and so I thought I'd join pleasure with business, and take Aix and Penelope Anne on the road. And now _here_ she is. If Box had only known it, he'd have been after her. He's a first-rate fellow, is Box, but abominably mercenary and mean. He'd think nothing of proposing to Penelope Anne merely for her money. And _I_ think nothing of a man who could do such a thing. So I've written to Box telling him to go to the North, and I'll come and stay with him for the shooting season. A little shooting Box in Scotland. Ha! ha! when I _do_ go, it will be with Penelope Anne on my arm, as Mr. and Mrs. Cox. Let me see, when the hour strikes again, it will be time for my third tumbler--here it is--and the promenade. The Doctor says I must be punctual in drinking the water, so I'll put myself straight, and then, so to speak, lay myself out for the capture of Penelope Anne. VERSES. (_"Les Pompiers de Nanterre."_) I'm so very glad, Feel so very jolly, Like a little lad Who has come home to play. Now about I'll gad! Widow melancholy! She will be delighted When I my addresses pay. Tzing la la la! Tzing la la la! I'm an artful dodger! Tzing la la la! Tzing la la la! Hey! for Victory! [_Exit out of room R.H._ (_Immense applause. The Signor insisting upon joining in the chorus, which he thinks he knows. MILBURD sings it again and then makes his exit._) _Enter WAITER with portmanteau._ _Applause. Then enter BOX as if from a long journey; he is wrapped up to the eyes, and above them. Questioning among audience, "_Who's that?_" WAITER points to room L.H. BOX inclines his head. Exit WAITER. BOX commences unbuttoning long foreign overcoat with hood. Then takes off hood, then takes off immense wrapper. When free of these he appears dressed in very foreign fashion._ [Illustration: DON BOXOS.]