somehow. If not, Mr. Peterkin thought he
could telegraph him from Marseilles, if he only knew where to telegraph
to. But at Marseilles there was great confusion at the Hotel de
Noailles; for the English party met other friends, who persuaded them to
take route together by Brindisi. Elizabeth Eliza was anxious to continue
with her new English friend, and Solomon John was delighted with the
idea of passing through the whole length of Italy. But the sight of the
long journey, as she saw it on the map in the guide-book, terrified Mrs.
Peterkin. And Mr. Peterkin had taken their tickets for the Marseilles
line. Elizabeth Eliza still dwelt upon the charm of crossing under the
Alps, while this very idea alarmed Mrs. Peterkin.

On the last morning the matter was still undecided. On leaving the
hotel, it was necessary for the party to divide and take two omnibuses.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterkin reached the steamer at the moment of departure,
and suddenly Mrs. Peterkin found they were leaving the shore. As they
crossed the broad gangway to reach the deck, she had not noticed they
had left the pier; indeed, she had supposed that the steamer was one she
saw out in the offing, and that they would be obliged to take a boat to
reach it. She hurried from the group of travellers whom she had followed
to find Mr. Peterkin reading from his guide-book to the little boys an
explanation that they were passing the Chateau d'If, from which the
celebrated historical character the Count of Monte Cristo had escaped by
flinging himself into the sea.

"Where is Elizabeth Eliza? Where is Solomon John?" Mrs. Peterkin
exclaimed, seizing Mr. Peterkin's arm. Where indeed? There was a pile
of the hand-baggage of the family, but not that of Elizabeth Eliza, not
even the bird-cage. "It was on the top of the other omnibus," exclaimed
Mrs. Peterkin. Yes, one of the little boys had seen it on the pavement
of the court-yard of the hotel, and had carried it to the omnibus in
which Elizabeth Eliza was sitting. He had seen her through the window.

"Where is that other omnibus?" exclaimed Mrs. Peterkin, looking vaguely
over the deck, as they were fast retreating from the shore. "Ask
somebody what became of that other omnibus!" she exclaimed. "Perhaps
they have gone with the English people," suggested Mr. Peterkin; but he
went to the officers of the boat, and attempted to explain in French
that one half of his family had been left behind. He was relieved to
find that the