"I save threepence-halfpenny in a sovereign," he went on, a wicked twinkle kindling in his eye as he spoke, "by taking the eleven-and-sixpenny size--and that _is_ a consideration, my dear. If you don't think so now, with all your young life before you, you will when you come to be my age!" [Illustration] He sank back in his arm-chair as he spoke, apparently about to deliver himself to the calm delights of a retrospective _rêverie_. But he was not destined to enjoy it. At that moment a whiff of stifling smoke, quite choking in its intensity, forced itself under the door. In another moment the matter was soon explained. With a wild rush the butler burst into the room. "Fly, your Grace, for your life!" he cried; "the place is on fire!" A blaze of flame that followed the terrified menial into the room, only too truly corroborated his statement. In a another moment the fire had seized hold of the new furniture, and in greedy fury, as if it were some demon spirit, licked the walls with great tongues of flame. "In the cupboard, my dear," said the Duke, the proud blood of his race coming to his aid in a perfect and commanding coolness in the face of the terrible danger that faced him, "you will find three cans of JOBSON's Patent Fire Annihilating Essence. It is advertised as infallible. Give one to the butler, take one yourself, and give the third to me. This appears to be a good opportunity for testing its efficacy." The quick bright girl instantly obeyed his injunction. The cans were distributed, and opened. A colourless gas was liberated. In a few seconds the flames were entirely quenched. "Ah!" said the old Duke, flinging himself back into his armchair with a sigh of relief. "And now, ANGELICA, my dear, you can tell me why you came to see me!" * * * * * [Illustration: A FAIR WARNING. "DADDY, I WANT YOU TO GIVE ME FIVE SHILLINGS A WEEK POCKET-MONEY!" "I COULDN'T DO IT, MY LITTLE CHAP. IT'S TOO MUCH!" "WELL, I MUST HAVE IT. IF YOU WON'T, I SHALL GO AND BET!'] * * * * * THEORY AND PRACTICE. (_TO BE REPRESENTED DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME._) SCENE--_Interior of Private Box. Grandfather and Grandchildren discovered listening to the Overture. Father and Mother in attendance._ _Grandfather_. Yes, my dears, I am glad to say that the afterpart is _not_ to be discontinued. You are to see the Clown, and the Pantaloon, and the Columbine, and the Harlequin. [Illustration: Peg-Top after seeing a Pantomime.] _Chorus of Grandchildren_. Oh! Oh, won't that be delicious! _Grandfather_. Yes, my dears, you will see the regular old-fashioned comic business that used to delight _me_ when _I_ was a boy. I remember when I was about your age, my dears, seeing TOM MATHEWS, and it was _so_ amusing. He used to sing a song--