Year: 1862

It was the last day in November, in the yea one thousand eight hundred and ffty.something and about the hour of noon, when the great ant glorious-we might on this occasion say-Uaf' glorious-City of London was hidden from nor tai eyes by one of those dense, brown fogs tha often times convert it into any thing but Para disc. So suddenly had the obscurity come on that many an unlucky wight had unwittingly strayed out of the right path, not morally, be t understood, but literally being misled by the i'm possibility of distinguishing one street from an. other in those localities where all the residences were private houses.

 Among those misguided wayfarers was a cer tain pretty widow named Cumley, who had been lured from her "apartments' in Great Coran street. by faint glimmering, which, an hour be- fore, had given some hope of at least continu ance of daylight for sufficient space of time tc enable her to make a few purchases, with a view to the enhancement of her personal attractions at party that was to come off on the following evening. It was in her way back from Oxford street that the darkness began to gather round her like the shades of night, causing her tc quicken her pace, and make sundry wise reaec. tions on the folly of having suffered herself to be tempted, by the promptiugs of vanity, to ven. ture abroad on such an inauspicious morning.

 Afraid of passing over a crossing, she kept on the footway, and took one or two turnings hap hazard, still hoping she was going in the right direction, until. no longer able to distinguish streets from squares, she became as completely lost as the Babes in the Wood, for she was now in those aristocratic regions where there was not a single shop in which she might have sought aid and counsel in this her benighted condition.

 What in the world am l to do?' said Mrs Cumley to herself. I shall never find my way home; and as to getting into a cab, even if could meet with one, which is not very likely. should be afraid to trust myself. It seems to be getting thicker and thicker. shall not be able to see an inch before mo, presently. What 2 very unfortunate thing to be sure.'

 Mrs. Cumley was no coward, nor did she want for presence of mind in any of the ordinary diff faculties of life but this was dilemma for which she was totally unprepared, and it threw her into an unwonted state of perplexity, espe- cially as, during the last ten minutes, not hu- man being had passed by to whom she might have applied for information as to her nherea- bouts. At length a brilliant idea flashed upon her mind

 It can do no very great harm,' she thought, to knock at door, and ask what street this is. Any one will be civil enough to tell me that And acting on the impulse of the moment, she, with some little difficulty found ont the door of the house, for even the doors and windows | ndu DccOue lIVlSlDle, ana nitNllS uScONereu tue knocker, she gave, not the lond authorative rat tattat, that demands instant admission, but a modest rap, which seemed to say shall feel obliged if you will open the door at your earliest | convenience.

 It was, therefore, some minutes before the ap peal was answered but at length a man-ser- want presented himself, and opening his eyes to their utmost extent at seeing q well-dreSSed lady out and on foot ill such weather.

 l am sorry to trouble you, said Mrs. Cumey, but will you have the kindness to tell me what street this Is, for have lost my way in conse- quence of the fog?'

 It is no street at all, ma a'am,' said the man, who seemed much disposed to laugh. This is Torrington Square,

 Torrington Square! Bless me, then I have which way must turn te get to Great -Geram street.

 | She had stepped upon the threshold of the door, and was enabled to observe by the aid of a gas lamp that shed its brilliant rays through the hall, that the house she had so unceromoniously invaded was of no mean order. There was an air of spaciousness and elegance about it that denoted wealth and luxury. The stairs were richly carpeted, and there was a good fire in the stove opposite the doorway in the hall that diffus ed glowing warmth and brightness on all with in, which was the more striking from its contras to the cold and gloom without.

 The man was doing his best to put her in the right way for the locality she had named, wher opened and gentleman ith newspaper ir his hand made his appearance.

 What is it, James?'

 "A lady, sir, has lost her way in the fog, and wants to be directed

 Dear me that's awkward he said, advan cin5 ! step or two perhaps to ascertain what the lady was likc and as the light shone full upon her face, he made another move in advance, and said, You had better walk in, madam, and wait till it is a little clearer.'

 l l am very much obliged to you, sir; I shall be really very glad if you will allow me to sit down here for a little while. dare say it will be lighter presently. Aud she was going mod estly to take seat by the hall fire, but he waved his hand politely towards the apartment from which he had just emerged, on which shs curt sled with graceful ease, and walked in. As the gentleman was following, she heard the servant say something to him in low tone wherein the word luncheon was distinctly au dlble, and her quick ear caught the reply

 70, yes-yes. Bring it up all tle same; fo, two, of coursc.

 | It was large, well-furnished dining room and the widow had no sooner cast her eyes around it, than she came to the conclusion that its owner was a bachelor. She did not exactly know why she thought so, but was SO convinced of such being the fact, that she would not have hesltated to bet pair of gloves upon it.

 MT. Hazlett was in truth single man, some what past the meridian of life, but good looking still, with courteous. gentleman-like manners, and, to judge from the appearance of his sur. rouudln9s, ln easy circumstances.

 : am sure, he said, as he placed chair near the fire for his involuntary guest, I ought to feel much indebted to this fog, since it has pro cured me so unexpected pleasure

 The lady acknowledged the compliment in proper terms, accompanied by merry little laugh. that sounded very much as if she could have said tue pleasure was not all on one side {; and while these civilities were in course of ex- change, the luncheon tray was brought in, laden with cold chicken, ham, veal patties, and other savory viands, together with decanter of sher. ry and some bottled ale.

 Mrs. Cumley began to feel herself quite at home. She drew her chair to the table, a, d took of her gloves, thereby displaying pair cf delicately white and well-shaped hands. She was certainly a very pretty woman, with spark. ling black eyes, white teeth and good com. plexion. Her age might be thirty-fvs or therea. bouts; it is unnecessary to be- particular on tha, point; thirty-6ve would be near enough to the mark even for census paper.

 A tese-c-te's luncheon is often very pleasant thing.

 

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