the fifth floor, I shall go too, sir. What is good enough
for her is good enough for me."

"Very well, madam. Shall I give you adjoining rooms, and send your
baggage up?"

"Yes, and have it done in a hurry. Let the boy show us up. Come,
Elizabeth," and Mrs. L. turned from the clerk with a haughty glance, and
we commenced climbing the stairs. I thought we should never reach the
top; and when we did reach the fifth story, what accommodations! Little
three-cornered rooms, scantily furnished. I never expected to see the
widow of President Lincoln in such dingy, humble quarters.

"How provoking!" Mrs. Lincoln exclaimed, sitting down on a chair when we
had reached the top, and panting from the effects of the climbing. "I
declare, I never saw such unaccommodating people. Just to think of them
sticking us away up here in the attic. I will give them a regular going
over in the morning."

"But you forget. They do not know you. Mrs. Lincoln would be treated
differently from Mrs. Clarke."

"True, I do forget. Well, I suppose I shall have to put up with the
annoyances. Why did you not come to me yesterday, Lizzie? I was almost
crazy when I reached here last night, and found you had not arrived. I
sat down and wrote you a note--I felt so badly--imploring you to come to
me immediately."

This note was afterwards sent to me from Washington. It reads as
follows:

ST. DENIS HOTEL, BROADWAY, N.Y.

"Wednesday, Sept. 17th.

"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--I arrived _here_ last evening in utter
despair _at not_ finding you. I am frightened to death, being
here alone. Come, I pray you, by _next_ train. Inquire for

"MRS. CLARKE,
"Room 94, 5th or 6th Story.

* * * * *

"House so crowded could not get another spot. I wrote you
especially to meet me here last evening; it makes me wild to
think of being here alone. Come by _next train_, without
fail.

"Your friend,
"MRS. LINCOLN.

* * * * *

"I am booked Mrs. Clarke; inquire for _no other person_.
_Come, come, come._ I will pay your expenses when you arrive
here. I shall not leave here or change my room until you
come.

"Your friend, M. L.

"Do not leave this house without seeing me.

"_Come!_"

I transcribe the letter literally.

In reply to Mrs. Lincoln's last question, I explained what has already
been explained to the reader,