At length the confusion which the proceeding created became universal, and the cause reached the ears of the dauphin.

"He is a very fiend, your highness," exclaimed an old nobleman, "or wants but a tail to be so!"

"Say rather he should be a famished poet, by his appearance," replied the prince, laughing. "But there must be some juggling: he spills all his wine, and hides the provisions under his robe."

Even while they were speaking, the yellow domino entered the room in which they were talking, and, as usual, proceeded to the table of refreshments.

"See here, my lord," cried one; "I have seen him do this twice."

"I thrice!"-"I five times!"-" And I fifteen!"

This was too much. The master of ceremonies was questioned. He knew nothing, and the yellow domino was interrupted as he was carrying a bumper of claret to his lips.

"The prince desires that Monsieur who wears the yellow domino should unmask." The stranger hesitated.

"The command with which his highness honors Monsieur is perfectly absolute."

Against that which is absolute there is no contending. The yellow man threw off his mask and domino, and proved to be a private trooper of the Irish dragoons!

"And in the name of gluttony, my good friend (not to ask how you gained admission), how have you contrived," said the prince, "to sup to-night so many times ?"

"Sire, I was but beginning to sup, when your royal message interrupted me."

"Beginning!" exclaimed the dauphin, in amazement. "Then what is it I have heard and seen? Where are the herds of oxen that have disappeared and the hampers of burgundy! I insist upon knowing how this is!"

"It is, sire," returned the soldier, " may it please your grace, that the troop to which I belong is to-day on guard. We have purchased one ticket among us, and provided this yellow domino, which fits us all. By which means the whole of the front rank, being myself the last man, have supped, if the truth must be told, at discretion; and the leader of the second rank, saving your highness's commands, is now waiting outside the door to take his turn."

MISS EDITH HELPS THINGS ALONG.

My sister 'll be down in a minute, and says you're to wait, if you please,

And says I might stay 'til she came, if I'd promise her never to tease,

Nor speak 'til you spoke to me first. But that's nonsense, for how would you know What she told me to say, if I didn't? Don't you really and truly think so?

And then you'd feel strange here alone! And you wouldn't know just where to sit :

For that chair isn't strong on its legs, and we never use it a bit.

We keep it to match with the sofa. But Jack says it would be like you

To flop yourself right down upon it and knock out the very last screw.

S'pose you try? I won't tell. You're afraid to! O! you're afraid they would think it was mean! Well, then, there's the album-that's pretty, if you're sure that your fingers are clean, For sister says sometimes I daub it; but she only says that when she's cross.

There's her picture. You know it? It's like her; but she ain't as good-looking, of course!

This is me. It's the best of 'em all. Now, tell me, you'd never have thought

That once I was little as that? It's the only one that could be bought:

For that was the message to pa from the photograph man where I sat—

That he wouldn't print off any more till he first got his money for that.

What? Maybe you're tired of waiting. Why, often she's longer than this.

There's all her back hair to do up and all of her. front curls to friz.

But it's nice to be sitting here talking like grown people, just you and me.

Do you think you'll be coming here often? Oh, do! But don't come like Tom Lee.

Tom Lee. Her last beau. Why, my goodness! he used to be here day and night,

Till the folks thought he'd be her husband; and Jack says that gave him a fright.

You won't run away, then, as he did? for you're not a rich man, they say.

Pa says you are poor as a church mouse. Now, are you? And how poor are they?

Ain't you glad that you met me? Well, I am; for I know now that your hair isn't red. But what there is left of it's mousy, and not what that naughty Jack said.

But there! I must go. Sister's coming. But I wish I could wait, just to see

If she ran up to you to greet you in the way that she used to greet Lee."

B. Harte.

THE BACHELOR'S DREAM.

My pipe is lit, my grog is mixed,
My curtains drawn and all is snug,

Old Puss is in her elbow-chair,

And Tray is sitting on the rug.

Last night I had a curious dream,
Miss Susan Bates was Mistress Mogg-
What d'ye think of that, my Cat?
What d'ye think of that, my Dog?

She looked so fair, she sang so well,
I could but woo and she was won.
Myself in blue, the bride in white,
The ring was placed, the deed was done!
Away we went in chaise-and-four,

As fast as grinning boys could flog-
What d'ye think of that, my Cat?
What d'ye think of that, my Dog?

What loving tête-à-têtes to come!
But tête-à-têtes must still defer!
When Susan came to live with me,

Her mother came to live with her!
With sister Belle she couldn't part,

But all my ties had leave to jogWhat d'ye think of that, my Cat? What d'ye think of that, my Dog?

The mother bought a pretty poll,
A monkey too,-what work he made!
The sister introduced a beau,

My Susan brought a favorite maid.
She had a Tabby of her own,—

A snappish mongrel christened GogWhat d'ye think of that, my Cat? What d'ye think of that, my Dog?