_Mrs. Herd._ Don't they indeed, HAUSTUS? (_The Surgery-bell rings loudly._) Did you hear _that_? There she is! I will go and put on my best cap. It is my duty to show her _that_ small attention. _Dr. Herd._ (_laughing nervously_). Why, what on earth!----It's the night-bell. It is most probably the new book-keeper! (Mrs. HERDAL _goes out_; Dr. HERDAL _rises with difficulty, and opens the door_.) Goodness gracious!--it _is_ that girl, after all! _Hilda Wangel_ (_enters through the Dispensary door. She wears a divided skirt, thick boots, and a Tam o'Shanter, with an eagle's wing in it. Somewhat freckled. Carries a green tin cylinder slung round her, and a rug in a strap. Goes straight up to_ HERDAL, _her eyes sparkling with happiness_). How are you? I've run you down, you see! The ten years are up. Isn't it scrumptiously thrilling, to see me like this? _Dr. Herd._ (_politely retreating_). It is--very much so--but still I don't in the least understand---- _Hilda_ (_measures him with a glance_). Oh, you _will_. I have come to be of use to you. I've no luggage, and no money. Not that _that_ makes any difference. I never _have_. And I've been allured and attracted here. You surely know how these things come about? [_Throws her arms round him._ _Dr. Herd._ What the deuce! Miss WANGEL, you _mustn't_. I'm a married man! There's my wife! [Mrs. HERD. _enters_. _Hilda._ As if _that_ mattered--it's only dear, sweet Mrs. SOLNESS. _She_ doesn't mind--_do_ you, dear Mrs. SOLNESS? _Mrs. Herd._ It does not seem to be of much _use_ minding, Miss WANGEL. I presume you have come to stay? _Hilda_ (_in amused surprise_). Why, of course--what else should I come for? I _always_ come to stay, until--h'm! [_Nods slowly, and sits down at table._ _Dr. Herd._ (_involuntarily_). She's drinking my punch! If she thinks I'm going to stand this sort of thing, she's mistaken. I'll soon show her a Pill-Doctor is a very different kind of person from a mere Master Builder! [HILDA _finishes the punch with an indefinable expression in her eyes, and_ Dr. HERDAL _looks on gloomily as the Curtain falls. End of First Act._ * * * * * "AMONG THE MEMORABLE BOOKS OF THE PRESENT RAINE."--Canon RAINE has just published (_per_ LONGMANS) his _York_, as one of the series of Historic Towns. The proofs of RAINE on _York_ of course came very moist from the press. Is there a frontispiece to it of "RAINE poring over his own book?" The work is highly spoken of,--so _disons_, "_Vive le Raine!_" * * * * * Mr. WILSON BARRETT is to appear in a play called _Pharaoh_--"What the plague!"--Is he coming out as an Egyptian Mummer? Will the drama prove interesting to plague-goers? * * * * * A FULL MEASURE OF JUSTICE. (_According to the Modern Method._)