Three things only occurred to in any way vary the monotony of my existence.  The first was the arrival of the singing young lady’s brother.  He was seventeen, and his lungs were as thick as his boots.  He tobogganed down-stairs on a tea-tray the first day he arrived; the second day he passed me in the hall and asked, with a grin, “if I was one of the mummies in this old mausoleum?” the third day he left, saying that the place was “too jolly beastly slow” for him.  The second event was the sudden extraordinary mania that Aunt (did I tell you she was rich?) took for the singing lady.  I discovered, much to my chagrin, I must say, that often, instead of going to bed at nine, as I believed she did, she used to ensconce herself in the drawing-room, and there sit and listen to indifferent music till all hours.  It was this second event which brought about the third excitement.  For having been a little imprudent one night, in the matter of “night-caps,” or careless as to draughts, my Aunt was taken seriously ill.  At least she chose to think herself so, though I now have vague suspicions that the singing lady knew more about it all than she cared to tell.  All I know is that the doctor was sent for, and that, after a long confab in the sick room, he came to me and ordered my immediate return home.  “Your poor Aunt requires perfect quiet,” he said.

Having no choice in the matter, I packed my boxes; not exactly with reluctance, but still with an uncomfortable feeling of being wanted out of the way.  Aunt’s last words to me rather confirmed my suspicions.  “Ah! you are off, are you?  Well, I may pull through this time—­I think I feel better already.”  Then, with a pecking kiss, and an inaudible remark anent the ingratitude of relations, she dismissed me.  As I left the house I distinctly heard that singing creature run up-stairs and into Aunt’s room.

On the way back to town I decided that she (Aunt I mean) was right—­relations are disgustingly ungrateful.

Yours, much hurt,

THE ODD GIRL OUT.

* * * * *

TO THE CHAMPION (CRICKET) COUNTY.

  "Skilful Surrey’s sage commands."
    There is a cue from WALTER SCOTT!
  (Not Surrey’s “WALTER.”) Punch claps hands,
    And sings out, “Bravo, SHUTER’S Lot!”

* * * * *

THEATRICAL PROBABILITIES.

New pieces by HENRY AUTHOR JONES, author of Judah, The Deacon, &c.:—­The Archbishop; The Salvationist, or Boothiful for Ever!  The Rural Dean (a pastoral play); The Chorister, a stirring drama, showing how a Chorister struggled with his conscience.  Of course the Rev. Mr. WILLARD will have the principal part in each piece.  Then there will be special nights for the Ministers of all denominations.  There will be a Matinee of Precedence, to which Cardinal MANNING and all his clergy will be invited.  After the play is over, the Right Reverend Dr. WILLARD will preach a sermon to the Cardinal, on his duties generally.