I turned away without another word, murmuring blessings in
my heart on that dear head.
There was no time to be lost now! The carriage was already at the door
of the Mansion House to convey us to the steamboat when I reached it,
and Colonel La Vigne standing, rather anxiously, on the pavement,
looking up and down.
"I was afraid you had rued your promise and were not coming," said
Marion, springing forth from the door-way eagerly, to greet me.
"And we had forgotten to ask your address," added Madame La Vigne, "or
we might have called for you, and saved you a long walk, perhaps."
"We should not have carried off your trunk, even had you not appeared,
Miss Harz," said Colonel La Vigne, blandly. "There it is you see,
distinctly labeled, on the baggage-wagon in front, directed to the care
of 'Mr. Somnus!'--a good deal of waggery about you, I perceive, or had
you forgotten my name?"
"No, no! I had reasons--but, you remember, no questions were to be
asked; you must wait for voluntary communications."
"I am so glad--so glad you are going with us!" said little Louey La
Vigne, pressing my hand, as she sat before me in the carriage by Aunt
Felicite, her nurse--Colonel La Vigne and three of his daughters having
been consigned to another hack--Louey and her sable attendant, stately
with her large gold ear-hoops, and brilliant cotton handkerchief, being
inseparable accompaniments of his wife.
Pages:
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268