The Portland daily press., 1881-12-31
A Slight Mistake.
London World


We are dining in the Cafe Anglais in Par
is, preparatory to going to the play. Phil
Chester, Dolly Chester his wife, and /, Rog-
er Temple Three is not good number as
a rule, nor does a husband make a good
third; but this case is exceptional altogether.
Poor old Phil is as deaf as a post, and not
the least restraint on conversation; in fact,
his presence lends certain piquancy to the
fact that one is making love to his wife.
Now protest, reader, against your too has
ty condemnation of me as an unprincipled,
not to say mean, brute.
have flirted with Dolly for years; she
was my greatest friend in India, and there
is no harm in it, on the honor of a gentle
man. Dolly was born fiirt; she will firt if
she lives to ninety, and she is as good a lit
tie woman as ever stepped Phil does not
mipd-not much, at least. There are one
or two fellows he cuts up rough about; but
he likes me. 81 shouldn't mind SO much if
l could hear" he said to me one day. and
beloved in reply (it takes a deal to make
him hear, "Thank Providence, my dear old
chap, that you can't! Where ignorance is
bliss It's folly to be otherwise"
am on my way home from India; not,
perhaps, by the directest route, but then
there is no particular inducement for me to
hurry No anxious parents are awaiting
me, no fond sisters long to welcome me,
partly for my own sake, partly with an eye
to the Eastern treasures in my trunk.
am an orphan, with one brother, who
was at Elton when | left England. During
my absence our mother died, and left him
three thousand year, and me one; so,
though l don't nourish any resentment
against the lad, still am not possessed by
any particularly burning desire to fold him
to my heart.
To return to our mutton(cutlets la jar
diniere, and exquisitely savory). We have
had delightful day in the delicious gardens
of Versailles. Phil is an epicurean; he does
everything in the most charming and COM
Portable way 1t was such a day! a Sep
TENDER day, with a glorious sun, and a
southwest wind, and we had a carriage and
drove down. Old Phil sat on the box; he
got better view, he said, and it was a bore
seeing people laugh and talk and not know
ing what the joke was; so he turned his
broad back to us, and we were very cosy in
side, Dolly and L Every now and then he
would do Snowman and point us out objects
of interest, and we would nod our heads vio-
lently in acknowledgment of his attention,
and in testimony of our interest. Dolly is
capital company, and we nearly died of
laughing. The landscape was rather lost
upon us, Pm afraid and if it hadn't been
for Phil, we should never have known that
we were passing the factory at Sevres that
has bestowed so many treasures on the
world, and the pretty gardens and lovely
autumn tints might have escaped us. By
Jove, I've wandered from the mutton again
fWhat pig you are, Rogerv' says Dolly.
This is not in allusion to any gluttony on
my part; it IS term of mild abuse which
she employs when she is displeased with me.
''You have not spoken a word to me for ten
minutes; and you have done nothing but
stare at that girl. / don't know what you
see in her; she is just like a great wax doll"
fsWhat is she saying?' asks Phil who
sits close to my left hand. whats the
row?''
'sShe did not like the last dish, y respond,
ina mild roar, being unable in public to give
a verbatim report of her remark.
''Humphp' says Phil; "women don't
know what is good in the way of eating and
drinking. l never ate better dish in my
life."
It is quite true that have been looking
(not staring, l hope) at the young lady at
yonder table. 1t is not so much that she is
beautiful, though | sincerely think her so,
as that there is something in her face which
seems familiar to me. Two or three times
her eyes have met mine, and on each occa-
sion an almost imperceptible smile has
curved her lovely red lips. She sits facing
me; opposite to her is portly lady, whose
OdCh IL bOWdIQ anu Gil lcI IlSub oil Olu-
ish man. Papa and mamma, probably. No;
on further inspection, not papa, | decide.
His manner towards her is too enpresSe for
that. and her smiles and Establishments,
though not even suggestive of mild firta-
ton, are not such as young ladies bestow on
a parent.
''Hang me if ever was so puzzledr' I
say, half to Dolly, half to myself
sWhat about?' asks Dolly trife snap
pishly.
"About that girl. know her face, and
believe she knows mine"
SAT all events" retorts Dolly" you will
know each other next time you meet She
is forward mink"
At this moment the trio rise. They had a
good start of us at dinner.
by Joyep' and with one bound l am out
of my chair and shaking the portly lady,
whose face l now see for the first time, by
the hand. 1t is Aunt Janet; and God bless
my soul-can this beautiful young creature
be my cousin Corisande, whom | left in
short petticoats cuddling adolf?
"Why Roger" cries my aunt beaming
with smiles, "who would have thought of
seeing you?'
''My dear Aunt Janet"-and l gave her
another shake of the hand-'how awfully
glad am to see youv'
There is no doubt blood is thicker than
water. l never dreamt / could feel so
affectionate towards any one. "And-and
is this Corisande?'' I ask.
eyes," replies the most delicious voice
ever heard, whilst smiles dimple the be-
witching face; ''this is Corisande. / knew
YOU from the first, Master Roger. have
been hugely amused at your perplexity and
your chifonR6e little friends displeasure."
SORRY, darlingr' warns mamma.
Cory darling, indeed! | am not often
taken aback, but this superb young woman,
with her femme du monde air, gives me a
new sensation. 1t is evident she reads my
thoughts, for she gives me the most mis-
chievous glance in the world.
''Four years make difference" she says
archly.
''They do,' rejoin; and dare say my
admiration is written in my face, for she
gives little contented laugh.
what are you doing here?" interposes
Aunt Janet. ''Have you finished your din
ner? Can you come with us now?"
80, mop Miss Corisande answers for me.
"Roger has previous engagement"
feel little bit provoked. cannot tell
her there is nothing between me and Dolly,
but can't bear her to go away with wrong
impression.
@Then come and see us at our hotel to-
morrow morning." says Aunt Janet.
81 shall be too delighted" answer inn
pressively.
"Come and spend long day." murmurs
Corisande. "That is, if Madame permits"
Nothing will prevent my coming if 1
am alive, say; and then feel as if had
made rather fool of myself by my fervent
protest.
''Well, then, goodbye" says Aunt Janet
heartily Goodbye until tomorrow
"a demdia,' utters Corisande, who speaks
French with the most adorable accent.
"Madame attends Monsieur and she gives
a roguish look in the direction of Dolly.
"WellF' remarks that lady, with a very
grumpy air, as l resumed my seat.
"Wellw l respond, trying to control the
jubilanee of my voice, "that is my cousin"
''But a cousins different thing, ''quotes
Dolly, giving an extra turn heavenward to
bar lfsfia poca