Then he looked at his watch and found that he had consumed so much time in making his purchases that he only had time to take a carriage and call for his charge. Having sent all his purchases to the steamer, and being encumbered with nothing but the flowers, he made all haste to execute his last and pleasantest task—accompanying Miss West to the steamer on which they were to embark.
"Drive fast," he said to the man on the box; and when they paused before the genteel boarding-house where he had made Miss West's acquaintance the day before, he jumped out with alacrity and ran up the steps.
The door was opened by the simpering maid of the day before who had giggled at his ridiculous mistake. He could not help coloring at the remembrance as he met her recognizing smiles, a little tinctured with surprise.
He assumed an air of coldness and hauteur, thinking to freeze her into propriety.
"I have called for Miss West to take her to the steamer. Will you please see if she is ready?"
"Oh, Lor', sir!" tittered the maid.
"I have called for Miss West," he repeated, more sternly. "Can you inform me if she is ready?"
The maid bridled resentfully at his impatient air.
"Why, lawk a mercy, she was ready ages ago, mister!" she said, tartly.
"Then ask her to come out, if you please. We have barely half an hour to go on board," he said, glancing hurriedly at his watch.