_Servant._ Please, Sir, it's only JOHNSTONE has sent misses's parasol, that was left in the cart! _Albert._ This is some mistake! You didn't drive to-day, VIOLA? _Muriel_ (_apart to_ ALAN). Shall I betray you? (_To_ ALBERT.) The fact is Master ROY went out alone, to develop an idea; and _I_ lent him VIOLA'S parasol, because he was afraid of getting sunburnt. [_Everyone laughs._ _Alan._ One _has_ to be so careful. Freckles run dreadfully in my family. I had them once, and a relapse is _most_ dangerous! _After Dinner._ _Viola._ Darling MURIEL! I congratulate you and VALENTINE. VALENTINE is such a pretty name! How sweet you were! I shall never have another secret! _Muriel._ And shall you tell ALBERT all about it? _Viola._ Perhaps--to-morrow! _Claude Mignon_ (_to_ ALAN). I _hate_ a house where a girl is engaged! I'm going away to-morrow. _Alan._ So am I. _Claude Mignon._ Rather a clumsy-looking creature--the old Doctor? _Alan._ Oh, no! Very distinguished! _Muriel_ (_to_ ALAN, _in a low voice_). I _told_ you not to leave the parasol. _Alan._ You did, dear Miss VANE. It was dear of you. _Muriel._ And did you develope your idea? _Alan._ Well--no. Somehow, it didn't quite come off. THE END. * * * * * BYE-BYE TO DAUDET.--We could not stand the presence of two lions in London; so, when NASRULLA KHAN appeared on the scene, ALPHONSE DAUDET made his exit. Our, "_Beau-bel Poète_" sends us his jingle:-- DAUDET _est parti!_ Good-bye my hearty! "_Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo,_" _Bon soir_ DAUDET! "_allez faire Dodo!_" * * * AN INTERREGNUM OF BRUTALITY.--The _Times_ last week announced that "Applications for the vacant Chair of Humanity in the University of Edinburgh should be lodged not later than Saturday, June 29." Alas! Poor Humanity! It may be news to many that the Chair of Humanity is in the possession of the Northern University. Of course a very large arm-chair, with arms to embrace all mankind. And a very easy chair. Whoever sits in it is only a Professor, and what is mere profession without practice? * * * * * OPERATIC NOTES.