Embarkation. g 



Britain would assume the princely proportions of a 

 four-in-hand, crowded with a dozen of my dearest 

 friends. A modest phaeton or wagonette with a pair 

 of horses was the extent of my dream, but the Fairy 

 sent me four, you see, and two friends for every one I 

 had pleased myself with imagining as sure to take the 

 journey with me. 



But now to a sober beginning of the story of the 

 coach. It was in the leafy month of June — the very- 

 first day thereof, however — in the year of our Lord 

 1881, that the good ship Bothnia (Cunard Line, of 

 course), Captain McMicken (a true Scot and bold Brit- 

 ish sailor), steamed from the future Metropolis of the 

 World for the shores of Merrie England. She had 

 many passengers, but among them were eleven who 

 outranked all others, if their respective opinions of each 

 other were to be accepted as the true standard of judg- 

 ment. I had received for many months before the 

 sweetest pleasure imaginable in startling first one and 

 then another with requests to report at headquarters, 

 Windsor Hotel, New York, May 31st, prepared to em- 

 bark. It was on St. Valentine's Day that the Prima 

 Donna received a missive which caused her young 

 heart to flutter. What a pretty reply came ! Here is 

 a short extract : 



" Three months to dream of it ; three months to live in it ; and 

 my whole lifetime afterward to think it over. I am the happiest 

 girl alive, only sometimes I can't believe it's all going to happen." 



