of music came plaintively
enough in the night air; the sounds of a prolonged revel rose loudly
out of that deep-pillared chateau-like building in the Place, and in the
quiet alley adjoining, I could catch the low song of a mother as she
tried to sing her baby to sleep. It was all human in every touch and
strain of it And did I not drink it in with rapture? Was it not in a
transport of gratitude that I thanked Fortune for once again restoring
me to land? "O Earth, Earth!" says the Greek poet, "how art thou
interwoven with that nature that first came from thee!" Thus musing, I
reached the inn, where, though the hour was a late one, the household
was all active and astir.

"Many passengers arrived, waiter?" said I, in the easy, careless voice
of one who would not own to sea-sickness.

"Very few, sir; the severe weather has deterred several from venturing
across."

"Any ladies?"

"Only one, sir; and, poor thing! she seems to have suffered fearfully.
She had to be carried from the boat, and when she tried to walk
upstairs, she almost fainted. There might have been some agitation,
however, in that, for she expected some one to have met her here; and
when she heard that he had not arrived, she was completely overcome."

"Very sad, indeed," said I, examining the _carte_ for supper.

"Oh yes, sir; and being in deep mourning, too, and a stranger away for
the first time from her country."

I started, and felt my heart bounding against my side.

"What was it you said about deep mourning, and being young and
beautiful?" asked I, eagerly.

"Only the mourning, sir,--it was only the mourning I mentioned; for she
kept her veil close down, and would not suffer her face to be seen."

"Bashful as beautiful! modest as she is fair!" muttered I. "Do you
happen to know whither she is going?"

"Yes, sir; her luggage is marked 'Brussels.'"

"It is she! It is herself!" cried I, in rapture, as I turned away, lest
the fellow should notice my emotion. "When does she leave this?"

"She seems doubtful, sir; she told the landlady that she is going
to reside at Brussels; but never having been abroad before, she is
naturally timid about travelling even so far alone."

"Gentle creature! why should she be exposed to such hazards? Bring me
some of this fricandeau with chiccory, waiter, and a pint of Beaune;
fried potatoes too.--Would that I could tell her to fear nothing!"
thought I. "Would that I could just whisper, 'Potts is here; Potts