Amabel Vaughan.

Of course Fitz says all sorts of pretty things about Miss Longmore s " Juliet , ' and hoAV he should like to be her Eomeo just to learn how to make love to her properl y ; aud she laughs , and says that if he could not make love to her except by the aid of the book or the play , his passion cannot be very ardent , or it Avould soon find Avords of its own , far better than Avere ever Avritten , to express his thoughts . And Fitz answers : " Shall I hear more , or shall I speak at this ?" " Are you going to rehearse the next sceneif you please 1 " Miss Longmore says

, , " because I must go ; but you may stay here if you like , and I shall be free to chat to you presently I " " Oh I Romeo , Romeo ! wherefore art thou Eomeo 1 " she adds half scoffingly , half tenderly .

Fitz looks up , a sharp enquiring glance , but she has gone . " I should like to haA'e seen her face Avhen she said that , " he mutters to himself , aud then he stands with arms folded , buried in thought , little heeding anything that passes , so wrapt up is he in his deep abstraction . Suddenly he remembers Avhere he is , and finds that he has been unconsciously standing so near the last entrance on to the stage , near the footlights , that he can see the occupants of the box opposite , and he moves back hurriedly , hoping most devoutly

that none of the party have seen him . Aud noAv Scene 2 , Act II . is coming on , and Romeo enters , saying"He jests at scars that never felt a wound " Juliet appears above at a Avindow , having been helped up there by Mr . Fitz , and as it is rather high , it requires some art to do it Avell . Not being exactly used to such employment , ( fitz succeeds in placing the young lady on the balcony ; but in doing so manages to push the next wing a little to the rear , thus exposing him to the gaze of the occupants of the stage box , supposing them to be looking in that direction .

One pair of sharp eyes have indeed detected him , and , little as he knows it , he is being watched attentively through a lorgnette by no less a person than his quondam flame , Miss Renard . That admirable lady was determined in her own mind to show her dear friend Mabel Avhere her pretendu lies in ambush , and opportunity soon offers . At the end of the second act . Juliet retires from the balcony

saying" Pan-ting is such sweet sorrow , That I shall say—good night 'till it be morrow . " " Very pretty indeed , " Fitz replies , as if the words were addressed to him ; " and now as the platform is rather high for you , you Avill have to accept my assistance to come doAvn . Come now , jump , I ivill catch you ; " and with that our gentleman opens his arms , an d the fair Juliet leaps clown . The tAvo then stand for a moment talking , and then move asidfi out of view .

" Mabel , just look here a moment , " Miss Renard says , " I want to show you something . Take this glass , and look close by the balcony on to the stage ; do you see anything 1 " "No ! where ? Oh , jus , I see the man who is playing Eomeo ; he is saying something . " " Lend me the glass ; quick ! Oh , my friend , I have caught you at last ! ' the amiable Belinda says . "Now look I—but stop , they are gone ; how provoking I "

And Miss Belinda Renard was glum for the rest of the evening . ' Oh ! don ' t mind , " said the fair Mabel . " I daresay it was something I shouldn't care to see . Where is Reginald , though 1 It is very strange he does not come . " " We shall see him presently , no doubt , dear , " says Miss Renard ; " probably when the play is over , " she adds with a grim , icy smile . Meanwhile , Mr . Fitz , quite unconscious of the interest he is exciting in other quarters , has devoted himself to Miss Longmore , and when the play is over he escorts hello her carriage—a oab , by the way . For some reason best known to themselves they