At last KIPPER, in parrying a most venomous onslaught, tripped and fell backwards, and, ere EGLANTINE or the stagbeetle could come to his assistance, his foe had pounced upon him. It was a fearful sight as both struggled on the sward. At last KIPPER'S blade was thrust with a shout of triumph into the monster's body, and he stood on it as it fell. But alas! scarcely had he done so, when he himself rolled lifeless beside the corpse of his enemy. He had forgotten that hornets, like wasps and writers of reminiscences, can still sting, when they no longer breathe. EGLANTINE and the stagbeetle vainly endeavoured to revive the champion, who had won. He was as insensible to their attentions as is an ironclad ship to the persistence of an exploded torpedo. The stagbeetle, who was getting rather weary from want of refreshment, and hated "scenes," proposed that he should go and fetch assistance while EGLANTINE might watch the body. This she readily consented to do. Hardly had the beetle droned himself out of sight when she flung herself upon the remains of the hero and shed many bitter tears ere she could speak. At last she cried in her anguish "Oh! my dearest, who was so good to me, come back, come back, for I love you; yes! I love you dearly." [Illustration: "He recovered himself and stood once more on guard."] Scarcely were the words out of her mouth when the little form of KIPPER disappeared, and there arose in his place not a prince in velvet doublet and silken hose, but a well favoured man of about thirty, dressed in a tweed suit, with billycock hat to match. EGLANTINE, though very much surprised, was not the least bit frightened, not even when the stranger addressed her. "Sweetest EGLANTINE," he said, "know that I am not a goblin, but a human being like yourself. _I was fortunate enough to discover a mine of virgin gold in Western Australia, and to have the property assigned to me by the government._ Selfishly I kept the secret to myself, and thereby incurred the anger of the King of the Gnomes, who, as a punishment for my sin against the welfare of humanity, caused me to be seized and transported here by the Underground Antipodes Railway. In this forest I was to abide in the repulsive form of KIPPER the Goblin, and to make myself as disagreeable as possible to everybody. I have done so, with considerable success. Only one chance of release was given to me, and that was when some pure-hearted maiden should declare her love for me. My case seemed hopeless; but you, darling, have broken the spell, and restored me to my real self. My true name is ARCHIBALD JOHNSON. Will you be Mrs. J.?" EGLANTINE, having no fixed ideas as to "the proper age of love," unhesitatingly answered "Yes."