 Later in 1874 Gilbert offered the libretto to [[Richard D'Oyly Carte]], but Carte could not use the piece at that time.By early 1875, Carte was managing the [[Royalty Theatre]], and he needed a short opera to play as an afterpiece to [[Jacques Offenbach|Offenbach]]'s "[[La Périchole]]".He contacted Gilbert, asked about the piece, and suggested Sullivan to set the work.