_Miss T._ Then I guess _that's_ fixed. (_Aside, to Miss P., who is speechless_). Come, you haven't the heart to go and disappoint my poor Cousin CHARLEY by saying you won't go! He'll be perfectly enchanted to be under vow--unless you've filled up _all_ the vacancies already! (_Aloud, to VAN B., as he approaches_.) We've persuaded Miss PRENDERGAST to join our party. I hope you feel equal to entertaining her? _Van B._ I shall be proud to be permitted to try. (_To Miss P._) Then I may take it that you agree with me that the function of the future American fictionist will be-- [_They move away, conversing._ _Podb._ (_To CULCH._) I say, old fellow, we're to be travelling companions again, after all. And a jolly good thing, too, _I_ think!... eh? _Culch._ Oh, h'm--quite so. That is--but no doubt it will be an advantage--(_with a glance at Van B., who is absorbed in Miss P.'s conversation_)--in--er--_some_ respects. (_To himself._) Hardly from poor dear PODBURY's point of view, I'm afraid, though! However, if _he_ sees nothing--! [_He shrugs his shoulders, pityingly._ * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. Pocket-books for next year are coming in. Which for choice? "_Solvitur ambulando_" should be the resolution of the difficulty, given by one firm at least, that firm being "WALKER." They are handy, and conveniently pocketable, but to "The chiels amang ye taking notes," plain leaves, and no fruit, and no dates, we should say, would be preferable. They're reasonable prices, and you can't expect to get 'em for nothing; if you do--"WALKER!" [Illustration] The Baron highly approves of Messrs. DE LA RUE's pocket-books. It is pleasant to have something in one's pocket, even if only a book. As to account-books and diaries--well enter nothing therein but what has been pleasant and profitable, and most diarians who adopt this rule will not find their memoranda overcrowded at the end of the year. "Letts be happy, while we can, and good luck to you, Ladies all, in 1892. Leap year!" quoth the Baron. "Over you go like the villagers in the German story, after the sheep, into the sea of matrimony, where may you all get on swimmingly." _À propos_, Mesdames BLYTHE and GAY say that the Christmas Number of _Woman_, produced by a number of women, is as full of attractive power as the Magnetic Lady herself.