"General Pinckney!" echoed the landlady, all the gentlemen present cocking their eyes and ears! The widow tore open the letter, while Lowndes calmly fastened up his portmanteau, and all of a sudden, quite an incarnation spread its roseate hues over her still elegant features.
Lowndes seized his baggage, and, with a "good evening, madam, good evening, gentlemen," was about to leave the institution, when the lady arrested him with:
"Stop, if you please, sir; this is General Lowndes, I believe?"
"General Lowndes, madam, at your service," said he, with a dignified bow.
According to all accounts, just then, there was a very sudden rising about the fire-place, and a twinkling of chairs, as if they had all just been struck with the idea that there was a stranger about!
"Keep your seats, gentlemen," said the General; "I don't wish to disturb any of you, as I'm about to leave."
"General Lowndes," said the widow, "any friend of Mr. Pinckney is welcome to my house. Though we are full, I can make room for you, sir."
The General stopped, and the widow and he became first-rate friends, when they became better acquainted.