She was an Angel, verily.

Sometimes I think I see her yet

Stand smiling by the cabinet;

And once, I know, she peeped and laughed

Betwixt the curtains . . .

Where's the draught?

(She gives him a cup.)

Now I shall sleep, I think, BABETTE ;—

Sing me your Norman chansonnette.

BABETTE (sings.)

"Once at the Angelus

(Ere I was dead),

Angels all glorious

Came to my Bed ;—

Angels in blue and white

Crowned on the Head."

M. VIEUXBOIS (drowsily.)

"She was an Angel "..." Once she laughed ”......

What, was I dreaming!

Where's the draught?

BABETTE (showing the empty cup.)

The draught, M'sieu' ?

M. VIEUXBOIS.

How I forget!

I am so old! But sing, BABETTE!

BABETTE (sings.)

"One was the Friend I left

Stark in the Snow;

One was the Wife that died

Long, long ago;

One was the Love I lost..

How could she know?"

M. VIEUXBOIS (murmuring.)

Ah, PAUL !...old PAUL!... EULALIE too!

And ROSE !...And O! "the sky so blue!".

"I am so old"..." Good night, Babette !

EPILOGUE.

Heigho! how chill the evenings get!

Good night, NINON, good night, NINETTE! Your little Play is played and finished ;— Go back, then, to your Cabinet!

LOYAL, L'ÉTOILE ! no more to day!

Alas! they heed not what we say :

They smile with ardour undiminished;

But we, we are not always gay!

---

THE BALLAD OF "BEAU BROCADE."

This is the Ballad of "Beau Brocade"

How he was trapped by a serving maid!

I.

SEVENTEEN hundred and thirty nine :—
That was the date of this tale of mine.

First great GEORGE was buried and gone;
GEORGE the Second was plodding on.

LONDON, then, as the "Guides " aver,
Shared its glories with Westminster ;