might consult together about his accommodations. There were plenty of
vacant rooms, but Mr. P. made up his mind that he would prefer to take
one of those delightful cottages in the court-yard. One of these was so
much more gorgeous than the others, that Mr. P. chose it on the spot.

"Ah!--yes--" quoth the gentle WARREN, "I should be delighted, I'm sure,
but that cottage is reserved especially for the Empress EUGENIE, who,
you know, is expected here daily."

"Indeed!" said Mr. P. "If she is coming so soon, I could not, of course,
keep it very long. So tell me, my good friend, for what trifling sum
will you let me have this cottage till the Empress comes?"

Mr. LELAND gazed earnestly at Mr. P., and asked him what he thought of
the Chinese question; and whether he believed that this would be a good
year for corn. Then Mr. P. struck a bargain for a back-room in the
seventh story of the right-hand tower.

Early the next morning Mr. P., like a conscientious man as he is, went
to drink of the waters of the place. He had a strong belief, based upon
experience, that he would not fancy any of the old springs, and so he
tried a new one--the "Geyser."

Mr. P. stayed a good while at the Geyser. There happened to be a young
lady there who insisted upon helping him to the water with her own lily
hands--the boy might dip it up, but she _must_ hand it to him--and she
had such a way with her that he drank fifty-one glasses. When he came
back to the hotel, and the good WARREN asked him what was the matter, he
merely remarked: