Miss Mephistopheles

general tone of brilliancy permeated the atmosphere. The hostess herself was an admirable conversationalist, and what with the wine, the laughter, and the influence of the midn

umbs on the white table-cloth, and a general array of disorderly plates, showed that supper was over. The guests had pushed away their chairs, and were smoking and chatting, while a light breeze came in through the open French window, and somewhat cooled the temperature of the room. The smoky atmosphere, the flashing of the light o

s Crime,' a mixture o

wgate Calendar and Queen Mab, with a d

bad for t

of criminal literature, yet you can't take up a night's issue without finding

kers have much to do with the morals of t

simi

f follow my leader, with

e arrived at his dest

ind that out whe

n this new country with all

ll the old-

concomitant of afor

tty, shrugging her shoulders; "peo

hrough Victoria like that young person in Moore's song, 'Rich and rare

certainly take them home from the theatre every night, but I gene

approvingly; "for illustration see P

on for suggestions," said Fenton gaily;

he drawing-room. Mr. Lazarus, you come also. I have got the sc

e in town," gr

ng shot she went away, followed by the ladies and Ezra Lazarus. Keith remained behind, and

's going to

w a man wh

ue, 'Devil-

outs

win, but don't p

ra, your prophecies

ndra--anothe

-a w

I wish you'd get more

uite e

-quantity,

been snub

er snub any one who ca

you c

sh I had some myse

to her, dear boy--t

one gr

ing away at a gallop in the drawing-room, he arose and went out into the hall.

ot of the stairs to receive her, "what

id the child, putting

ith, lifting her up. "I'll

aid the child, though she co

o and fro in his arms for a few minute

?" he whispered, seeing

Meg's

leading to a room in which there was a subdued light, caused by the lowering of the

ar," he whisper

" murmured Meg, thinking she was sayi

irs again, and met

hat gentleman, "wh

an unquiet spirit," and having no desire for a conversation with Fenton, he strolle

r the music of "Eblis," while Kitty Marchurst stood beside him, looking over his shoulder. Lazarus had j

ra," said Kitty impatiently--"this," and she hu

e title," sa

ed Kitty "Eblis sings it--th

play the devil," said

do you

ugged his

Oriental name

n seized the idea at once. "Yes, there woul

xious to make a start, and I think Lazarus would write charming music.

ced critic

se music," she

rming gavotte, bright and

ly, "but not my style. Play someth

nto a wild fantastic galop that made everybody long to dance. Kitty clapped her hands, and her

rite me music like that, and I'll engage to have it produced

-bouffe," he answered; "what w

had so many burl

Power of Evil, enter Caprice as Miss Mephistopheles, a female demon, rejuvenates Miss Faust by paint and powder, takes her to see Mr. Marguerite, who is a young

nts; but I won't decide till I see the first act complete; if it's as goo

ave obtained a chance of seeing what he co

'd be a good fr

babel of voices talking about everything and everyone. Suddenly Fenton, with

man outside who wants to

s his

lli

ned a lit

das," she said, in an ann

down in front of

said, in a decided tone, and, wit

seated at the supper-table drinking champagne from a

t?" she asked, c

sual condition of intoxic

," he said, in a maudlin tone,

woman you deceived so shamefully; she was well

ng his glass again, "and only lets me have a hun

get drunk on," retorted K

on

'n't get

out me treating my wife b

enched h

d, with a cry. "God help me, I'v

eloup," said Villiers. "Ah, that confou

will do no good you reviling him now. At

me!" hiccupped Mr. Villiers

y, thrusting some money into hi

ant

away, or I'll order my

staggered

but I'll come back, my beauty! Don't try your fine airs on me. I'll g

like a statue of marble, an

ur wife's sake," sh

he window, then, turning r

madam," he said thickly. "You'll be

aying the vile word, and d

to blush for her mother? Kitty put out her hands with a sob, when a burst of laughter from the next room sounded in her ea

her own good, and she will lead that virtuous, happy life which a m