ption which her father gave the English visitor in 1840. The Earl
conducted himself as so many Englishmen seem to think they can in this
country; and on her asking him how he liked America, he replied, very
well, except for the people, who were so vulgar.

"'What can you expect?' said Miss Beaufain; 'we're descended from the
English.'"

"But I suppose you will tell me that your Northern beauties can easily
outmatch such wit."

I hastened to disclaim any such pretension; and having expressed my
appreciation of the anecdote, I moved to the door as the stately lady
resumed her embroidery.

My hostess had a last word for me. "Do not let the cake worry you."

Outside the handsome old iron gate I looked at my watch and found that
for this day I could spend no more time upon visiting.

IV: THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER--I

I fear--no; to say one "fears" that one has stepped aside from the
narrow path of duty, when one knows perfectly well that one has done
so, is a ridiculous half-dodging of the truth; let me dismiss from
my service such a cowardly circumlocution, and squarely say that I
neglected the Cowpens during certain days which now followed. Nay, more;
I totally deserted them. Although I feel quite sure that to discover one
is a real king's descendant must bring an exultation of no mean order to
the heart, there's no exultation whatever in failing to discover this,
day after day. Mine is a nature which demands results, or at any
rate signs of results coming sooner or later. Even the most abandoned
fisherman requires a bite now and then; but my fishing for Fannings had
not yet brought me one single nibble--and I gave up the sad sport for
a while. The beautiful weather took me out of doors over the land, and
also over the water, for I am a great lover of sailing; and I found a
little cat-boat and a little negro, both of which suited me very well.
I spent many delightful hours in their company among the deeps and
shallows of these fair Southern waters.

And indoors, also, I made most agreeable use of my time, in spite of
one disappointment when, on the day following my visit to the ladies, I
returned full of expectancy to lunch at the Woman's exchange, the girl
behind the counter was not there. I found in her stead, it is true, a
most polite lady, who provided me with chocolate and sandwiches that
were just as good as their predecessors; but she was of advanced years,
and little inclined to light conversation.