Now I think it is time for us to take our seats in the carriage, or else
the train will start and leave us behind. Come on, gentlemen!"




IV.

THE NABOB.


The train from Zürich arrived at the Eastern Railway Station at seven
o'clock in the morning. In Paris the day has at that early hour not yet
begun, and but very few persons, mostly travelling foreigners and
labourers, are seen on the streets. Since it has become the fashion to
use the moving train for suicidal purposes, the perron is locked, and
only those travellers admitted whose luggage is undergoing examination
by the customs officials.

I was lucky enough to have sent my luggage one day ahead of me to Paris,
and so it had not been lost in the accident. I had nothing with me but a
small satchel, which I had saved, but which contained nothing to
interest the custom-house officers, and so, taking my little charge in
hand, I stepped out into the hall. I had hardly gone two paces, when the
child dropped my hand, and crying, "Papa! dear, darling papa!" ran to a
gentleman who, with a lady at his side, stood by the turnstile.

I had never before seen the lady, yet I recognised her at once as the
mother of my little charge, so striking was the resemblance between
them. She had the same large, dark-blue eyes, the same dimpled chin,