_Lit. Asp._ (_rising_). And you dare to propose bringing out the _Sixteen Goblins_ as a Penny Novelette! _Pub._ Certainly, and in view of the risk of actions for libel, you would have to pay the printing-bill, and give us a contract of indemnity in case your _Captain Wildfire_ did turn out to be identical with some retired pirate who feels himself hurt at your description. You don't think much of the proposal? Well, nor do we of the book, to tell you the truth. Ta, ta! [_Disappears into inner room. Literary Aspirant slowly folds up his novel, and exit._ * * * * * MOTTO FOR THE DIVORCE COURT.--Marry, and come up! * * * * * THE TRAVELLING COMPANIONS. NO. XIX. SCENE--_The Tombs of the SCALIGERS at Verona. A seedy and voluble Cicerone, who has insisted upon volunteering his services, is accompanying Miss TROTTER, BOB PRENDERGAST, and CULCHARD. It is a warm afternoon, and CULCHARD, who has been intrusted with Miss T.'s recent purchases--two Italian blankets, and a huge pot of hammered copper--is not in the most amiable of moods._ _The Cicerone_ (_in polyglot_). Ecco, Signore (_pointing out the interlaced ladders in the wrought-iron railings_), l'échelle, la scala, c'est tout flexible--(_He shakes the trellis_)--molto, molto curioso! _Culch._ (_bitterly, to the other two_). I _warned_ you how it would be! We shall have this sort of thing all the afternoon _now_! _Miss T._ Well, I don't mind; he's real polite and obliging--and that's something, anyway! [Illustration: "Bellissimo scultore!"] _Culch._ Polite and obliging! Now I _ask_ you--has he given us the slightest atom of valuable information _yet_? _Miss T._ I guess he's too full of tact to wish to interfere with your special department! _The Cic._ (_to CULCHARD, who looks another way_). Ici le tombeau di GIOVANNI DELLA SCALA, Signore. Verri grazioso molto magnifique, joli conservé! (_He skins up on the pedestal, and touches a sarcophagus_.) Non bronzo--verde-antique! [_Nods at CULCHARD, with a beaming smile._ _Culch._ (_with a growl_). Va bene, va bene--_we_ know all about it! _Bob P. You_ may; but you might give Miss TROTTER and me a chance, you know! _The Cic._ Zees, Marmor di Carrara; _zat_, Marmor di Verona--Verona marbre. MARTINO PRIMO a fait bàtir. (_Counting on his fingers for CULCHARD's benefit._) Quattuor dichièmé secolo--_fotteen_! _Culch._ Will you kindly understand that I am quite capable of estimating the precise period of this sculpture for myself. _The Cic._ Si-si, Signore. Scultore BONINO DA CAMPIGLIONE. (_With a wriggle of deferential enthusiasm._) Bellissimo scultore! _Miss T._ He's got an idea you find him vurry instructive, Mr. CULCHARD, and I guess, if you want to disabuse him, you'd better do it in Italian.