.

Next morning while poring over a copy of _Dreams_, with Raphael, the
hotel cat, curled up in my lap, Eva entered and announced that an old
friend of ours from Austin was in Marseilles and would call upon us the
next afternoon. I was in a flutter of joy, and forgetting my book, ran
away to tell my sister of the good news. Nothing ever ruffled my
sister's composure, but the light in her eyes told that she would be
glad to see George Ogden. Five years ago we three played together as
children, George always treating my sister with admiring deference, but
finding fault with me whenever opportunity offered.

Ruby Eliot had written to us that her cousin from Austin was wintering
in Toulon, but we had not thought of meeting him here. The next
afternoon our maid Harriette was nearly crazed by the demands made upon
her time and taste. I gave up in despair, and confined myself to looking
like a fright in a dark red silk. Not so with my sister, who was
perfectly exquisite in a dove-colored silk and white lace. George called
at half past four, and, of course, gave all his attention to Sarah.

The sequel to this story cannot be written, but those two were only
friends, after all, and some people admire elves in red dresses more
than saints in gray. Our next move was cross country by rail, and after
many days sailing through bays, channels, and straits we landed at
Dover, where we remained until October, when we crossed the strait to
Brussels, arriving in time for the double wedding.

Yesterday something happened to convince me that there was no place like
Austin in which to spend the rest of my days. Now as we are about to
return to our native country a slight feeling of disappointment will
arise that Dover was the only city in Britain visited by us. Yet how
glad we shall all be to return to our native land.

Seeing the "Defender's" Launching.

I really wish I had had every member of the Round Table that is
interested in boats with me on Saturday, June 29th. On that
memorable day I went with a party of friends on board of a
sloop-yacht to witness the launching of the _Defender_. We left
Warren about 9.30 A.M. We dropped anchor in Bristol Harbor just in
time, for about five minutes later the big boat glided down the
ways amid the banging of guns and the shrill whistles from the
numerous steamboats. The only thing to mar the occasion was that
the launching was not as success