ldrums,
lest he should drop into sympathetic stagnation and be taken
preternaturally bashful, with his sails all aback, just as I wanted to
carry him gallantly into action with some clipper-built cruiser of a
nice young lady. Finally, Lu bethought herself of that last plank of
drowning conversationists, the photograph album. All the dejected young
men made for it at once, some reaching it just as they were about to
sink for the last time, but all getting a grip on it somehow, and
staying there in company with other people's babies whom they didn't
know, and celebrities whom they knew to death, until, one by one, they
either stranded upon a motherly dowager by the Fire-place Shoals, or
were rescued from the Sofa Reef by some gallant wrecker of a
strong-minded young lady, with a view to taking salvage out of them in
the German.

Besides these, were already arrived a dozen nice little boys and girls,
who had been invited to make it pleasant for Billy. I had to remind him
of the fact that they were his guests, for, in comparison with the queen
of his affections, they were in danger of being despised by him as small
fry.

The younger ladies and gentlemen,--those who had fascinations to
disport, or were in the habit of disporting what they considered such,
were probably still at home consulting the looking-glass until that
oracle should announce the auspicious moment for their setting forth.

Daniel was in conversation with a perfect godsend of a girl, who
understood Latin and had begun Greek. Billy was taking a moment's
vacation from his boys and girls, busy with "Old Maid" in the
extension-room, and whispering with his hand in mine, "Oh, don't I wish
_she_ were here!" when a fresh invoice of ladies, just unpacked from the
dressing-room in all the airy elegance of evening costume, floated
through the door. I heard Lu say,--

"Ah, Mrs. Rumbullion! Happy to see your niece, too. How d'ye do, Miss
Pilgrim?"

At this last word Billy jumped as if he had been shot, and the bevy of
ladies opening about sister Lu disclosed the charming face and figure of
the pretty girl we had met at Barnum's.

Billy's countenance rapidly changed from astonishment to joy.

"Isn't that splendid, Uncle Teddy? Just as I was wishing it! It's just
like the fairy books!" and, rushing up to the party of new-comers, "My
dear Lottie!" cried he, "if I'd only known you were coming I'd have gone
after you!"

As he caught her by the hand I was pleased