are at one side. The night was dark; but the
gas-lights dimly lighted up a line of carriages at the farther side,
towards which we hastened, and had seated ourselves in one, when a
_commissionaire_ came running across the square, and putting his head in
at the carriage window, asked if we had any baggage.

"Yes," we replied; but the rattling words that followed brought only
confusion to us. Our minds, already overtaxed, gave way at once. It is
pleasant to recall the patience and good-nature of that official. It is
pleasant, when old things have so entirely passed away, to remember the
Paris of 1869 as, at least, a city into which women might come at
midnight, alone, unprotected, and be not only free from insult and
imposition, but actually cared for, and sent to their rightful
destination, in spite of their own ignorance and incompetence.

"Stay here," said our friend in uniform; and he disappeared, to return
in a moment with the stout French gentleman who had been our companion
in the hotel omnibus at Basle. We met with mutual surprise, and pleasure
on our side at least.

"_Do_ any one look for your baggage?" he asked.

"No," we replied. "We thought we might leave it."

"You must go," he said.

The _commissionaire_ took possession of our check and the driver's
_carte_, and I followed the two back to the station, leaving Mrs. K. to
guard our satchels, &c., in the carriage.

"Wait one leetle moment," said the kind French gentleman; "I bring
madame." And in a moment he dragged the fussy little woman from the
crowd, handing her over with the triumphant air of having now settled
all difficulties.

"Madame speak ze Eengleesh fine," he said.

Looking down from an immeasurable height, the little madam condescended
to remark that their servant was looking for their baggage.

"Ah!" I responded. "Then we are not permitted to leave our trunks."

"I am sure I don't know," she replied, looking so greatly bored, not to
say exhausted, that I did not think it best to press the matter. "Our
servant is attending to it," she repeated.

Her husband's face fairly glowed with satisfaction while this side
conversation was being carried on. Evidently he believed the whole
French baggage system to have been elucidated for my benefit. I thanked
him heartily, as we exchanged cordial adieus. Even the fussy little
woman gathered, for the moment, sufficient life to attempt to bow;
which, alas! never got beyond a stare. The _commissiona