Mr. C.-J. I—­I thought—­I hoped—­that, it being Saturday, I might be—­er—­fortunate enough—­have I the pleasure of addressing Mrs. GUFFIN? [Both Women are convulsed with uncontrollable mirth.

Second Woman (on recovering—­calling down the passage).  ’Ere, Mrs. GUFFIN, yer wanted.  ’Ere’s a gentleman come to see yer!

Mrs. Guffin (appearing from the basement, and standing at the further end of the passage).  Well, what does he want?

Mr. C.-J. (raising his hat, and sending his voice down the passage to her).  I ventured to call, Mrs. GUFFIN, in the hope of finding your husband at home, and ascertaining his—­er—­political sympathies, in view of the Election.

Mrs. Guffin. Oh, it’s about the voting, is it?  Are you for a Conservatory?

Mr. C.-J. For a—?  Oh, to be sure, yes.  I came to ask Mr. GUFFIN to support Sir TILNEY BRUTON, the Conservative Candidate.  Perhaps if I called again, I might—?

Mrs. Guffin (in a matter-of-fact tone).  I don’t expect my ’usband ’ome till late, and then he’ll be drunk.

Mr. C.-J. Just so.  But I trust, Mrs. GUFFIN, your husband feels the importance of maintaining the Union—?

Mrs. Guffin. He did belong, I know, but I think his branch broke up, or somethink.

Mr. C.-J. (puzzled).  Ah, but I mean in—­er—­politics—­I hope he is opposed to granting Home Rule to Ireland?

Mrs. G. He don’t tell me nothing about his politics, but I’ve ’eard him say he was Radikil.

Mr. C.-J. (diplomatically, as Mrs. G. slowly edges towards the door).  Might I suggest, Mrs. GUFFIN, that you should use the—­er—­influence which every woman possesses, to—­er—­induce your husband—­(here he suddenly becomes aware that Mrs. GUFFIN has a very pronounced black eye); but perhaps I ought not to ask you.

Mrs. G. Well, my opinion is—­if you want someone to tork over my ’usband to your side, you’d better come and do it yourself; because I ain’t goin’ to.  So there! [She retires to the basement again.

First Dish.  W. If you toffs can’t do nothink better than come ’ere makin’ mischief between a man and his wife, you’d better stop at ’ome, that you ’ad!

Mr. C.-J. (to himself).  Upon my word, I believe she’s right!  But I never noticed the poor woman’s eye before.  I wish I could find one of the men in, and have a talk with him—­much more satisfactory! (Knocks at No. 4) Is Mr. BULCHER at home?

Mr. B. (lurching out of a room on the ground-floor).  Qui’ c’rect, Guv’nor—­thash me!

Mr. C.-J. I wanted to see you, Mr. BULCHER, to ask if we may count upon your support for the Conservative Candidate at the Election.  I need hardly point out to you the—­er—­vital importance of—­