The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 102, April, 1866, page 69 by Various Authors
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Hotel. They were delighted to see me, and fondly pressed me to come and take a room adjoining their suite, as I did at Cox's. A card was brought in. My cousin smiled, and directed that the visitor should be admitted. There was a rustle,--a volume of flounces came sweeping in,--a well-remembered voice cried, 'My dear Louise!'--and my Todworth cousin was clasped in the buxom embrace of Madam Waldoborough.
"But what did I behold? Following in Madam's wake, like a skiff towed at the stern of a rushing side-wheel steamer, a dapper little old man, a withered little old man, a gayly smiling little old man, whose countenance was somehow strangely familiar to me. I considered him a moment, and the scene in the Rue St. Lazare, with the coupé driver and the man with the pocket-book, flashed across my mind. This was the man! I remembered him well; but he had evidently forgotten me.
"Madam released Louise from her divine large arms, and greeted the yellow-complexioned one. Then she was introduced to my uncle. Then the bride said, 'You know my cousin Herbert, I believe?'
"'Ah, yes!' says the Waldoborough, who had glanced at me curiously, but doubtfully, 'I recognize him now!' giving me a smile and two fingers. 'I thought I had seen him somewhere. You have been to one or two of my receptions, haven't you?'
"'I have not yet had that pleasure,' said I.
"'Ah, I remember now! You called one morning, didn't you? And we went somewhere together,--where did we go?--or was it some other gentleman?'
"I said I thought it must have been some other gentleman; for indeed I could hardly believe now that I was that fool.
"'Very likely,' said she; 'for I see so many,--my receptions, you know, Louise, are always so crowded! But, dear me, what am I thinking of? Where are you, my love?' and the steamer brought the skiff alongside.
"'Louise, and gentlemen,' then said my lady, with a magnificent courtesy, the very wind of which I feared would blow him away,--but he adva