[_N.B.--In consideration of the well-known difficulty that most popular variety-artists experience in the metrical delivery of decasyllabic couplets, the lines which follow have been written as they will most probably be spoken._ _Bl._ (_looking off with alarm_). Why, here comes FANNY FURBELOW, a new frock from Paris in! She'll find me with BRUNETTE--it's too embarrassing! [_Aside._ _To Brunette._ BRUNETTE, my love, I know _such_ a pretty game we'll play at-- Poor TIMBURINA'S ill, and the seaside she ought to stay at. (The Serpentine's the seaside, let's pretend,) And _you_ shall take her there--(_hypocritically_)--you're such a friend! _Br._ (_with simplicity_). Oh, yes, that _will_ be splendid, BLANCHIDINE, And then we can go and have a dip in a bathing-machine! [BLAN. _resigns the wooden doll to_ BRUN., _who skips off with it_, L., _as_ FANNY FURBELOW _enters_, R., _carrying a magnificent wax doll_. _Fanny_ (_languidly_). Ah, howdy do--_isn't_ this heat too frightful? And so you're quite alone? _Bl._ (_nervously_). Oh, _quite_--oh yes, I always am alone, when there's nobody with me. [_This is a little specimen of the Lady's humorous "gag," at which she is justly considered a proficient._ _Fanny_ (_drawling_). Delightful! When I was wondering, only a little while ago, If I should meet a creature that I know; Allow me--my new doll, the LADY MINNIE! _[Introducing doll._ _Bl._ (_rapturously_). Oh, what a perfect love! _Fanny_. She ought to be--for a guinea! Here, you may nurse her for a little while. Be careful, for her frock's the latest style. [_Gives_ BLAN. _the wax doll_. She's the best wax, and has three changes of clothing-- For those cheap wooden dolls I've quite a loathing. _Bl._ (_hastily_). Oh, so have _I_--they're not to be endured! _Re-enter_ BRUNETTE _with the wooden doll, which she tries to press upon_ BLANCHIDINE, _much to the latter's confusion_. _Br._ I've brought poor TIMBURINA back, completely cured! Why, aren't you pleased? Your face is looking so cloudy! _F._ (_haughtily_). Is she a friend of _yours_--this little dowdy? [_Slow music._ _Bl._ (_after an internal struggle_). Oh, no, what an idea! Why, I don't even know her by name! Some vulgar child ... [_Lets the wax doll fall unregarded on the gravel._ _Br._ (_indignantly_). Oh, what a horrid shame! I see _now_ why you sent us to the Serpentine! _Bl._ (_heartlessly_). There's no occasion to flare up like turpentine. _Br._ (_ungrammatically_). I'm _not_! Disown your doll, and thrust me, too, aside, The one thing left for both of us is--suicide! Yes, TIMBURINA, us no more she cherishes-- _(Bitterly.)_ Well, the Round Pond a handy place to perish is!