The Characters in this little volume are of a Ballad Maker, a Tapster, a Drunkard, a Rectified Young Man, a Young Novice's New Younger Wife, a Common Fiddler, a Broker, a Jovial Good Fellow, a Humourist, a Malapert Young Upstart, a Scold, a Good Wife, and a Self-Conceited Parcel-Witted Old Dotard.

He that sleeps in the daytime, or is in suspense, fear, any way troubled in mind, or goes to bed upon a full stomach, may never hope for quiet rest in the night; nec enim meritoria somnos admittunt, as the poet saith; inns and such like troublesome places are not for sleep; one calls ostler, another tapster, one cries and shouts, another sings, whoops, halloos, "absentem cantat amicam, Multa prolutus vappa nauta atque viator.

CHAM'BERLAIN (Matthew), a tapster, the successor of Old Roger Raine (1 syl.).Sir W. Scott, Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).

Even James Tapster had looked genial and happy for once.

And the thought of Bubbles unexpectedly brought up another imagethat of James Tapster.

It became suddenly, unexpectedly, clear to him that Tapster was much taken with Miss Bubbles.

Where on earth do they come from?" "They come from the servants' quarters," said Tapster.

" Tapster's hand was trembling, partly from excitement, partly from fear.

He knows I have a great fear of catching a chill," whispered Mr. Tapster.

When I say all the servants"she corrected herself quickly"the ladies' maids and Mr. Tapster's valet all sleep in the house.

She turned to Mr. Tapster: "I think you'd better go upstairs, and try and finish your night more comfortably.

But at last she had to leave such pretence aside, and then it was she who surprised Mr. Tapster, for, "You must let me have time to think over the great honour you have done me," she said quietly.

James Tapster, walking on by himself, began to feel unaccountably frightened.

If only she could have had a tenth part of James Tapster's money without James Tapster, what a happy woman she would have been!

Now she told herself that perhaps the peculiar, disturbing sensation had only been a forerunner of James Tapster's unexpected offer of marriage.

She hung behind, even rejecting the company of James Tapster, to whom, however, she was for the most part fitfully gracious; and when, at length, the whole party were sorting themselves into couples, she found herself walking last with Varick, the others being all in front of them.

Behind Dr. Panton and Miss Farrowfor the brick path which formed the crest of the embankment only held two walkers comfortablywere the least well-assorted couple of the party, Bill Donnington and James Tapster.

Tapster's half-formed hope had been that he would walk with Bubbles this afternoon; but, when it came to the point, he had made no real effort to secure her company.

" "What boy?" asked Tapster, surprised.

" James Tapster opened his mouth.

"D'you mean Mr. Tapster?"

" "I'm really marrying you, if you want to know," she exclaimed, "because of Mr. Tapster!

I don't think I should feel myself married unless I went through all that" And then, at last, James Tapster said something.

" Then Mr. Tapster announced that he was going to-day, and though Varick seemed genuinely sorry, everyone else was secretly glad.

After Mr. Tapster had gone they all breathed the more freely.