CHAPTER II.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 76, 25 February 1882, Page 376

CHAPTER 11.

All through that lovely winter's day Augustus Montinorency lingered in the Banger mansion, lunching on the luxuries of the season, and making fearful inroads on Banger's whisky decanter and cigars. The clock struck six, and Augustus arose to depart. "Stay but a little while longer, Aug— MiMr Montmoreney," whispers Cornelia bashfully. " Beloved one, I dare not," rejoins the favoured youth, "nay duty summons me away;" and,

snatcMng one stolen kiss, lie vanished, but with tottering steps, out of the front gate.

CHAPTEE 111.

It was soon rumoured in society that Cornelia Banger was engaged. The first time old Banger shook hands with Cornelia's Caller, he looked at Mm with a puzzled expression, as if he had seen him somewhere before, and was endeavouring to recall his classic features.

But when six o'clock came, Augustus, as usual, departed. There was a romantic mystery about his surroundings that perplexed the family, but his only reply to all enquiries was — " Duty summons me away." "When you are mine, lovliest of your sex," said Augustus, " everything will be explained. Until then trust the honour of a scion of the house of Montmorency." "He fears that his aristocratic relatives^ will hear of that odious shop," remarks Cornelia to her father, " and that they will interfere to prevent our union."

" Aristocratic relations be blowed !" angrily replies old Banger ; " fche shop keeps this 'ere roof over oiii" heads, and if he and his aristocratic friends don't like it, they can lump it." " You are too coarse for anything," cries Cornelia, retreating to her boudoir to feast her eyes on Montmorency's portrait. CHAPTER IV. In the dress-circle of the Theatre Koyal, engrossed in " Pinafore," sat Cornelia Banger and her father. The enamoured maiden looked anxiously round the dress-circle for a glimpse of Augustus Montmoreucy. But in vain. Suddenly old Banger dropped Ins lorgnette, and uttered an exclamation of astonishment. " What is the matter, paw?" anxiously inquired Cornelia. "By the living Jingo!" whispered Banger, "if there isn't youv Augustus among them supers !" It was, too, true. Cornelia snatched up the glass, and turned pale as her eyes fell on that well-known form in the background. Augustus Montmoreucy was " a super " at 30s a-week ! The six o'clock business was now explained. The deceitful young man was employed behind the scenes, but had been brought out " for this time only " to make up the strength of the company. Cornelia is not at home any more to the fraudulent and designing " super," and is to be married in three months to a bald-headed commission agent of some forty-five summers. Such is life, dear boys !