As I looked up, Mrs. Marshman entered the room, and little knowing how de trop she was, took a seat near us and commenced some ordinary topic of conversation. I felt relieved, and was therefore quite affable, but Miss Finnock seemed put out about something, and was scarcely civil in her replies to her. She soon excused herself, and leaving Mrs. M. and myself in the parlor, ran up stairs. She was gone about ten minutes, and returning, brought with her a bark-and-bead cigar case, which, after a moment’s hesitation, she gave me, with the remark: “I purchased that from the old Indian, Mr. Smith, and I beg that you will accept and preserve it as a souvenir of this morning, and of our mutual admiration of the red man.”
“Why, Saph!” said Mrs. Marshman, while I was bowing my acknowledgments, “you do not know Mr. Smith well enough to make him a present.”
“Mr. Smith appreciates the gift, and will not misconstrue my motives. I dare say he will remember our conversation,” she added, glancing archly at me.
I assured her that I would, and would eternally treasure the case, with pleasant memories of the fair donor, and of our delightful converse, and even ventured on the hackneyed rhapsody about death alone being competent to part the said case and myself. She bowed and blushed, and I toyed with the case in the momentary silence that ensued, and opening saw that there was a crumpled note deep down in it. Just as I was inserting two fingers to reach it a waiter approached, and presented his salver, on which lay two cards. I looked up in surprise as I read the names, “Herrara Lola” and “Lola Rurlestone,” and asked where they were.
“In the lower parlor, sir,” he said, bowing as I rose to follow him. I excused myself to the two ladies, and thoughtlessly left the cigar case on an ottoman where I had laid it when I took up the cards.
In the lower parlor I found Carlotta and her cousin waiting for me. Carlotta was standing near the piano, looking expectantly towards the door, while Herrara was leaning carelessly against the instrument, turning over the leaves of a music portfolio.
“John, what on earth did you mean by leaving us so abruptly,” said Carlotta, making a feint of striking me with her glove. “I would have thought you offended if I could have imagined any cause.”
“You ought to have known me better,” was all I could think of for a reply.
“Well, it makes no difference now, but you must go back with us. Mrs. Smith sent us over after you. She says she has scarcely spoken to you since we found you.”