after all these days of official reserve that she had placed between us,
startled her into that rush to the door annihilated her dignity at a
blow. So did I finish my sandwiches beneath her invisible but eloquent
fire. What affair of mine was the cake? And what sort of impertinent,
meddlesome person was I, shrieking out my suggestions to people with whom
I had no acquaintance? These were the things that her nose and her neck
said to me the whole length of the Exchange. I had nothing but my own
weakness to thank; it was my interest in weddings that did it, made me
forget my decorum, the public place, myself, everything, and plunge in.
And I became more and more delighted over it as the girl continued to
crush me. My day had been dull, my researches had not brought me a whit
nearer royal blood; I looked at my little bill-of-fare, and then I
stepped forward to the counter, adventurous, but polite.

"I should like a slice, if you please, of Lady Baltimore," I said with
extreme formality.

I thought she was going to burst; but after an interesting second she
replied, "Certainly," in her fit Regular Exchange tone; only, I thought
it trembled a little.

I returned to the table and she brought me the cake, and I had my first
felicitous meeting with Lady Baltimore. Oh, my goodness! Did you ever
taste it? It's all soft, and it's in layers, and it has nuts--but I can't
write any more about it; my mouth waters too much.

Delighted surprise caused me once more to speak aloud, and with my mouth
full. "But, dear me, this Is delicious!"

A choking ripple of laughter came from the counter. "It's I who make