with a veil as she did through the last half of our walk together. I
know that I got through my tea and such like ordinary affairs by
skipping them. I made all my arrangements, bade Gage and Streeter be
ready with the sleigh at my lodgings (fortunately only two doors from
Mrs. Pollexfen's) at half-past nine o'clock, and was the highest
spirited of men when, on returning to those lodgings myself at eight
o'clock, I found the following missives from the Argus office, which had
been accumulating through the afternoon.

No. 1.

"4 o'clock, P.M.

"DEAR SIR:--The southern mail, just in, brings Buenos Ayres papers
six days later, by the Medora, at Baltimore.

"In haste, J.C."

(Mr. C. was the gentleman who opened the newspapers, and arranged the
deaths and marriages; he always kindly sent for me when I was out of the
way.)

No. 2.

"5 o'clock, P.M.

"DEAR SIR:--The U.S. ship Preble is in at Portsmouth; latest from
Valparaiso. The mail is not sorted.

"Yours, J.D."