or an imagination already thoroughly saturated
with the spirit of romantic adventure, and during the voyage from New
York to New Orleans Hepworth Coleman found deep satisfaction in
anticipating what he felt was in store for him. In every fiber of his
frame he felt the assurance that he was on the way to new and strange
experiences.

His banker had sent a letter to precede his arrival by a few days,
asking a friend to secure suitable apartments for Mr. Hepworth Coleman,
gentleman, the consequence being that a dark young man, small but
well-built and handsome, met him at the landing to conduct him to his
suit of elegant rooms on Royal Street.

"Is you Meestu Coleman, sah?" inquired this young stranger in a musical
and respectful tone of voice. "I look fo' zat ma' at prayson."

"Yes, sir, that is my name," said Coleman briskly, at the same time he
showed by his look that he would like to know whom he was meeting.

"Varee glad you come, Meestu Coleman; varee glad, sah, indeed. Got your
rooms all prepare fo' you, sah. Yes, sah, zey is beautifu' an' sharming
rooms."

"Thank you; I am much indebted. Are you the gentleman to whom Mr.
Cartwright, the banker, wrote in my behalf?"

"Nah, sah, not any banker write to me; I been told to meet you at zis
place at prayson. Happy to see you. Mist Coleman; varee happy."

There was an elegant carriage at hand waiting for our friend. A negro
driver in livery and a small black footman stood by.

Coleman entered the vehicle, followed closely by the young creole who
had met him on the landing. He saw his baggage hoisted into a little
wagon to come after the carriage.

For some reason not exactly explained this whole proceeding affected
Coleman peculiarly; he felt a sort of vague uneasiness, as if he were
passing into an atmosphere of mystery, if not of danger.

As he was whirled through the narrow streets he caught glimpses of queer
tile-covered houses with curious hanging galleries. High walls and
gloomy courts flanked these, and here and there a dusky palm or a bright
orange tree flung up its foliage. Blooming magnolia clumps filled the
air with a heavy, languid odor.

But what most attracted the attention of Coleman was a company of four
or five young men dressed like dandies, swaggering along on one of the
_banquettes_ (sidewalks) and singing a drinking song at the top of their
voices. One of these hilarious fellows made a lasting impression on our
young friend's imagination.