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There is a long dark passage issuing out from the Opéra Comique into a narrow street; 'tis trod by a few who humbly wait for a fiacre,* or wish to get off quietly o' foot when the opera is done. At the end of it, towards the theatre, 'tis lighted by a small candle, the light of which is almost lost before you get half-way down; but near the door, 'tis more for ornament than use: you see it as a fixed star of the least magnitude; it burns, but does little good to the world, that we know of.

In returning along this passage, I discerned, as I approached within five or six paces of the door, two ladies standing arm in arm, with their backs against the wall, waiting, as I imagined, for a fiacre: as they were next the door, I thought they had a prior right; so edged myself up within a yard or little more of them, and quietly took my stand. I was in black, and scarce seen.

The lady next me was a tall lean figure of a woman, of about thirty-six; the other of the same size and make, of about forty: * Hackney-coach.

there was no mark of wife or widow in any one part of either of them; they seemed to be two upright vestal sisters, unsapped by caresses, unbroke in upon by tender salutations. I could have wished to have made them happy their happiness was destined that night to come from another quarter.

A low voice, with a good turn of expression, and sweet cadence at the end of it, begged for a twelve-sous piece betwixt them, for the love of Heaven. I thought it singular that a beggar should fix the quota of an alms, and that the sum should be twelve times as much as what is usually given in the dark. They both seemed astonished at it as much as myself. "Twelve sous !" said one.

"A twelve-sous piece!" said the other, and made no reply.

The poor man said, he knew not how to ask less of ladies of their rank; and bowed down his head to the ground.

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"Pooh!" said they, "we have no money." The beggar remained silent for a moment or two, and renewed his supplication.

—“ Do not, my fair young ladies,” said he, 'stop your good ears against me.”

"Upon my word, honest man!" said the we have no change."

younger,

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Then, God bless you," said the poor man, "and multiply those joys which you can give to others without change!”

I observed the elder sister put her hand into her pocket. "I'll see," said she, "if I have a sous."

"A sous!-give twelve!" said the supplicant ; “Nature has been bountiful to you, be bountiful to a poor man."

-"I would, friend, with all my heart," said "if I had it."

the younger,

"My fair charitable!" said he, addressing himself to the elder; "what is it but your goodness and humanity which makes your bright eyes so sweet, that they outshine the morning, even in this dark passage? and what was it which made the Marquess de Santerre and his brother say so much of you both, as they just passed by?"

The two ladies seemed much affected; and impulsively, at the same time, they both

put their hands into their pocket, and each took out a twelve-sous piece.

The contest betwixt them and the poor supplicant was no more; it was continued betwixt themselves, which of the two should give the twelve-sous piece in charity; and, to end the dispute, they both gave it together, and the man went away.

THE RIDDLE EXPLAINED.

PARIS.

I STEPPED hastily after him: it was the very man whose success in asking charity of the women before the door of the hotel had so puzzled me; and I found at once his secret, or at least the basis of it; 'twas flattery.

Delicious essence! how refreshing art thou to Nature! how strongly are all its powers and all its weaknesses on thy side! how

sweetly dost thou mix with the blood, and help it through the most difficult and tortuous passages to the heart!

The poor man, as he was not straitened for time, had given it here in a larger dose: 'tis certain he had a way of bringing it into a less form, for the many sudden cases he had to do with in the streets; but how he contrived to correct, sweeten, concentre, and qualify it, I vex not my spirit with the inquiry; it is enough, the beggar gained two twelve-sous pieces; and they can best tell the rest, who have gained much greater matters by it.

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