And then the professor explained the kind forethought of the old
ladies who had provided these luxuries for his journey.

"I declare I will live with them if they will let me, if ever I
spend another winter in Washington! One could enjoy what is so often
promised, so seldom given--'the comforts of a home'--with those old
ladies," said the judge fervently.

Mr. Brudenell made a very satisfactory meal off half a dozen French
rolls, a roasted partridge and a bottle of claret. And then while he
was wiping his mouth and the professor was repacking the hamper and
throwing the waste out of the window, Judge Merlin turned to Mr.
Brudenell, and, with an old man's freedom, inquired:

"Pray, sir, may I ask, what procures us the pleasure--and it is
indeed a great pleasure--of your company across the water?"

A shade of the deepest grief and mortification fell over the face of
Herman Brudenell, as bending his head to the ear of his questioner,
and speaking in a low voice, he replied:

"Family matters, of so painful and humiliating a nature as not to be
discussed in a railway car, or scarcely anywhere else, in fact."

"Pardon me," said the judge, speaking in the same low tone; "some
malignant star must reign. Had you asked the same question of me,
concerning the motives of my journey, I might have truly answered
you in the very same words."

And the old man groaned deeply; while Ishmael silently wondered what