They sat again beside the western door, after tea. The young
moon came from a cloud and dropped a broad path of glory upon
the bay; a black yacht glided noiselessly in, and anchored amid
this tract of splendor. The shadow of its masts was on the
luminous surface, while their reflection lay at a different
angle, and seemed to penetrate far below. Then the departing
steamer went flashing across this bright realm with gorgeous
lustre; its red and green lights were doubled in the paler
waves, its four reflected chimneys chased each other among the
reflected masts. This jewelled wonder passing, a single
fishing-boat drifted silently by, with its one dark sail; and
then the moon and the anchored yacht were left alone.

Presently some of the luggage came from the wharf. Malbone
brought out presents for everybody; then all the family went to
Europe in photographs, and with some reluctance came back to
America for bed.



II.

PLACE AUX DAMES!

IN every town there is one young maiden who is the universal
favorite, who belongs to all sets and is made an exception to
all family feuds, who is the confidante of all girls and the
adopted sister of all young men, up to the time when they
respectively offer themselves to her, and again after they are
rejected. This post was filled in Oldport, in those days, by