ve you seen enough of Palmyra? Here
are the palaces, but where are the citizens? _Ecce Homo!_ One
inhabitant turns out to receive us."

The person to whom Arlington's attention was thus called was a small,
nervous gentleman, about sixty years old, who came forth from a
whitewashed cot, and, taking off a scarlet cap, saluted the strangers,
whom he had eagerly watched from the moment of their landing.

"Pardon, messieurs. Permit that I speak. May it be convenient should
one passenger more be accommodated in your polite boat? I much wish to
go to Cincinnati, for one of my business very special. I have courage
to ask ze bold favor by my necessity professional to come to _mon
frere_."

"Ours is a private boat. Do you say it is to meet a brother that you
wish to go to Cincinnati?"

The old man's countenance fell. "Monsieur, accept my apology. Permit
me to speak my explanation. _Pardieu_, I deceive not. When I speak I
shall not indicate ze son of my mother, but I shall indicate ze
brother in medicine, Monsieur Goforth, ze physician _celebre_.
Pardon. Pardon that I detain you so long."

Disappointed, the old man turned toward his modest domicile, at the
door of which stood a petite maiden awaiting the issue of the
interview. Immediately descrying the damsel, Burr remarked aside to
Arlington:

"Another alluring petticoat. Tree nymphs or naiads haunt every island
and green bank."

"Pere," asked the girl anxiously, in a gentle voice, so clear that
every word she spoke reached the ear of Burr, "may you go with them?"

The father shook his head.

"_Non, cherie_."

He went up to his daughter, who impulsively kissed him, as if to
solace his disappointment. He seemed about to enter the cottage, when,
like one suddenly recollecting a neglected duty, he wheeled round and
again approached the strangers.

"Do me ze honor, messieurs, before you depart to enter in my poor
dwelling and drink with me one glass of wine."

An invitation so naively extended could not be declined. Burr felt a
kindly impulse toward the cordial sire and was not averse to wasting a
few stray glances on mademoiselle.

"It will give us great pleasure to accept your hospitality and also to
have your company as our guest on the boat. There is room, and you
shall be accommodated."

The doctor's spirits rose. His face shone with gratification.

"Your courtesy lift my heart. I shall never forsake to do you ze
friendly service. Is it convenient now that