Mr. G.-G. Nothing, my dear; nothing.  It struck me as well,—­a trifle flowery, that last passage, that’s all!

Mrs. G.-G. (severely).  If I cannot expect to win the prize without descending to floweriness, whose fault is that, I should like to know?  If you can’t make sensible observations, you had better not speak at all. (Continuing,) “Over and over again, gathering me in his strong loving arms, and pressing fervent kisses upon my forehead, he has cried, ’Why am I not a Monarch that so I could place a diadem upon that brow?  With such a Consort, am I not doubly crowned?’” Have you anything to say to that, GALAHAD?

Mr. G.-G. Only, my love, that I—­I don’t seem to remember having made that particular remark.

Mrs. G.-G. Then make it now.  I’m sure I wish to be as accurate as I can. [Mr. G.-G. makes the remark—­but without fervour.

SCENE THE SECOND—­AT THE MONARCH-JONES’.

Mr. M.-J. Twenty quid would come in precious handy just now, after all I’ve dropped lately, and I mean to pouch that prize if I can—­so just you sit down, GRIZZLE, and write out what I tell you; do you hear?

Mrs. M.-J. (timidly).  But, MONARCH, dear, would that be quite fair?  No, don’t be angry, I didn’t mean that—­I’ll write whatever you please!

Mr. M.-J. You’d better, that’s all!  Are you ready?  I must screw myself up another peg before I begin. (He screws.) Now, then. (Stands over her and dictates.) “To the polished urbanity of a perfect gentleman, he unites the kindly charity of a true Christian.”  (Why the devil don’t you learn to write decently, eh?) “Liberal, and even lavish, in all his dealings, he is yet a stern foe to every kind of excess”—­(Hold on a bit, I must have another nip after that)—­“every kind of excess.  Our married life is one long dream of blissful contentment, in which each contends with the other in loving self-sacrifice.” (Haven’t you corked all that down yet!) “Such cares and anxieties as he has, he conceals from me with scrupulous consideration as long as possible”—­(Gad, I should be a fool if I didn’t!)—­“while I am ever sure of finding in him a patient and sympathetic listener to all my trifling worries and difficulties.”—­(Two f’s in difficulties, you little fool—­can’t you even spell?) “Many a time, falling on his knees at my feet, he has rapturously exclaimed, his accents broken by manly emotion, ’Oh, that I were more worthy of such a pearl among women!  With such a helpmate, I am indeed to be envied!’” That ought to do the trick.  If I don’t romp in after that!—­(Observing that Mrs. M.-J.’s shoulders are convulsed.) What the dooce are you giggling at now?

Mrs. M.-J. I—­I wasn’t giggling, MONARCH dear, only—­