Pub. (doggedly).  All very well; but the name must come out.  Then I don’t like this description of the Ninth Goblin at all.  Where is it?  Oh, here! (Reads.) “Even the cerements of the tomb enveloping the form of the Ninth Goblin could not hide—­nay, seemed rather to bring prominently forward—­the malignant expression of the one-eyed face, with its crop of red whiskers, beetle brows, and low receding forehead.”

Lit.  Asp. What’s wrong with that?

Pub. Wrong!  Everything’s wrong!  There are lots of people about with red whiskers and low receding foreheads, and they’ll all bring actions of libel.

Lit.  Asp. But my Goblin has only one eye.

Pub. Well, so may they.  They’re equal to taking one eye out and putting it back when the trial’s over, if they thought it’d help them to get money out of us.  There may be a fellow called Mr. GOBLIN somewhere, too.  Oh, no; it won’t do at all.  All the chapters with the Ninth Goblin in must come out.

Lit.  Asp. (aghast).  But that would spoil the book—­it would mean leaving out half of it.

Pub. Yes, it would reduce the bulk, no doubt.  In any case we could not produce it in a three-volume form.  But we are bringing out a series of cheap fictions, and we might include yours.

Lit.  Asp. (making the best of things).  Well, some good books have appeared in a shilling form.

Pub. Yes.  But it’s not a shilling form we should propose.  The fact is, that there is a great run on Penny Novelettes just now, and—­

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’echelle, la scala, c’est tout flexible—­(He shakes the trellis)—­molto, molto curioso!