SCENE.-An office,-table with desks and writing materials.

Enter MR. BROWN, he listlessly divests himself of his Inverness cape, lazily takes his seat at a desk, yawns, stretches, and rubs his eyes,

Mr. B. What a thorough nuisance, to be obliged to be in the office at nine o'clock, when you did not go to bed till five; it is past nine though, and Thompson is not here, I shall take great credit to myself for being first. Perhaps I shall have time to answer that dear little note before he comes. [Takes a three-cornered note from his pocket-book, kisses it, and searches his desk for some note paper.

[A bell heard.

Mr. B. That bell already! What on earth can people want to send telegraphic messages at this time of the morning for? Thompson not here too! What am I to do? How can I read a message off, and write it down at the same time? My head is not at all clear, notwithstanding the two bottles of

soda water. (Bell rings again.) Ring again, by all means I must try what I can do, I suppose; horrid nuisance though, just when I was thinking of my belle, ma belle Isabelle.

[Reads off the message from behind a window-curtain.

"Im

To MESSRS. A, B, & Co., Mincing Lane, City. Delay-your-intended-purchase.-It must-not-be made-to-day. I have-important—particulars-by post. (Returns to his desk and prepares to write it down.) portant particulars by post;" let me see, what was the first part? Oh, "Delay your intended "-no, I don't think that was it, I shall forget it all in a minute. (Writes.) Make your intended-purchase, it must not be delayed a day. Yes, I think that is quite correct. (Writes.) Important particulars-will come by post. I hope that is all right. (Puts it into an envelope and leaves the room-his voice is heard outside, directing a porter to take the dispatch to MESSRS. A, B, & Co., Mincing Lane-he then returns and resumes his note.) If I am interrupted again, I will not answer for the consequences—I shall have to use the telegraph to hurry Mr. Thompson, presently, I think.

Enter MR. THOMPSON.

Mr. B. I say, what a fellow you are, to leave me in the lurch this morning; here have I had a most important message to send off; you'll be in for it, if there is anything wrong. Mr. T. Oh, it will be all right, I daresay. How do you find yourself this morning?

Mr. B. Remarkably sleepy! How are you? You look rather seedy.

Mr. T. Do I? Well, I must confess to a splitting headache; I don't think that champagne was very first-rate.

Mr. B. It was a first-rate ball though! Oh, those fairy forms, those delightful polkas, those whirling waltzes-(Bell rings.)-Bother that bell! What's up now? Thompson, you must read.

(Thompson reads.) Keep-the bandbox-until-called for. Well, that is a curious message at any rate, what can it mean? I think they must be hoaxing us at the next station.

Mr. B. Oh no, it's all right, there was a bandbox left in the excursion train yesterday; it was put here somewhere, I believe, to be taken care of. Talking of boxes, I have got an order for the English Opera to-night, will you go?

Mr. T. I will tell you by-and-by, my dear fellow; at present, I really feel it would be too much exertion to go anywhere. I do not think I can even read the paper.

[Pulls a newspaper out of his pocket.

Mr. B. What have you got there? The Times?'

Mr. T. No, The Daily Telegraph.'

Mr. B. Keep it to yourself then, pray; I would have nothing to do with telegraphs for the next twenty-four hours, if I could have my will. What shall we have for lunch? Some spiced ale?

Mr. T. Oh, no! that's common. The duty is taken off nutmegs, remember. In fact, in these degenerate days, it is difficult to find anything that is not common. I thought at first it would be rather an aristocratic thing to be a rifleman; but I assure you I seriously think of retiring, volunteering has become so dreadfully common.

Mr. B. Just so; I am glad I did not join, though I might

have done so, had they chosen me to be captain. I have no notion of being ordered and marched about, and drilled, and all that sort of thing. Cæsar aut nullus !

Mr. T. We shall be perfectly inundated with captains and lieutenants. I would not be one if they were to ask me; but

-revenons à nos moutons what were we talking of? Lunch-ah! we will consider that subject presently. I feel rather curious about that bandbox. I wonder whether it belongs to an old woman or a young one.

Mr. B. (Looking towards the door or window.) I should not be surprised if these two young girls are coming to inquire after it. Do not tell them we have got it; let us have some fun.

Mr. T. With all my heart; anything for a little amusement; there is nothing at all in the papers this morning.

Enter FANNY FIDGET and MATILDA MERRY.

Fanny. (Curtseying.) Oh, if you please, sir, is this the Telegraph Hoffice?

Mr. B. Yes, this is the Telegraph Hoffice. What can we have the pleasure of doing for you?

Matilda. We have lost our bonnets, if you please, sir; and they told us as how we were to come here, and you would find them for us, sir, if you please, sir.

Mr. T. I am sure Mr. Brown and myself will use our utmost endeavours to do so. Allow us to offer you seats.

(They place chairs.)

Mr. B. But really I cannot think your bonnets any loss,

when you wear such becoming hats.

Fanny. Ah, but, indeed, sir, they are a very great loss. I

don't know what we shall do if we can't find them. (Puts her handkerchief to her eyes.)

Mat. Lor', Fanny, don't be such a fidget; don't go and cry again, for gracious sake.

Mr. B. I see you do not suffer such trifles to affect you. Those bright eyes are not often dimmed with tears.

Mr. T. But how did you lose these pretty bonnets? for pretty they are, I am sure, or they would not belong to

you.

Fanny. Why, sir, this is how it was :—we had been on a wisit, "Tilda and I, and we came home yesterday in the hexcursion train, and both our bonnets were in one box, and

Mat. And the fact is, sir, there was such a lot of people pushing in and out, that Fanny got so frightened, I was obliged to take care of her

Mr. B. And leave the bonnets to take care of themselves, I see. I wish I had been there; I would have taken care of both you and the bonnets too.

Mat. You are very kind, I am sure, sir.

Fanny. Do you think you will be able to find them, sir? Mr. T. I hope so, unless some one has sat upon them, and crushed them all to pieces.

Fanny. Oh, "Tilda! what shall we do?

Mat. Do? why, be quiet, to be sure, until the gentleman finds out whether they are crushed or not.

Mr. B. Quite right. I perceive you have a great deal of sense. We will commence operations immediately. (Dips his pen in the ink.) The first thing to be done is to take down your names and addresses.