MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE. 117 



something to me which I didn't understand, but which, as the 

 crowd was great, I interpreted as a request to preserve her from 

 being crushed or falHng down the break-neck stairs, and forthwith 

 she put her arm upon my shoulder until we reached the ground. 

 Then off she went, saying something which no doubt meant thanks 

 for my assistance. By the time I had reached the hotel I had 

 forgotten all about the incident. But it was recalled by an American 

 gentleman, with whom I was acquainted, calling out, " I guess that 

 gal seemed mightily fond of you, sir ! " 



" Yes: didn't she ! " I replied, not knowing what else to say. 



We were standing before one of those huge mirrors so common 

 in hotels abroad, and raising my eyes. Oh, horror ! a gold pin 

 shaped like an elephant, which was given me in Burmah, and which 

 I valued very much, was gone. Of course, I saw it all ; and 

 involuntarily I upbraided — to use no harsher term — that treacherous 

 maiden, downstairs and upstairs too. 



I went to the bureau and informed the landlord about my 

 grievance, and offered a reward if anyone could get my property 

 back, though, of course, I could not identify the supposed robber 

 if I saw her. But the landlord only shrugged his shoulders, and 

 coolly said " he thought I must be mistaken, for the devil never 

 tempted Basques, as he could not learn their language ; and as for 

 the Basque maidens " — here he turned his eyes towards the ceiling 

 — " they were only a little lower than the angels." 



" Whatever they may be," I angrily replied, " write up my 

 reckoning, as I shall stop no longer in this den of thieves ; " and I 

 went upstairs to pack my things. But I soon came down again, 

 and at the door of the hotel a breakful of joyful people, who 

 were starting for a pic-nic, kindly asked me as I passed by, to join 

 them, in that free and easy manner so conspicuous abroad. 



I needed no second bidding and was clambering up behind, when 

 my host appeared upon the scene all bows and smiles, and seeing 

 me, he offered his congratulations on my good taste in not deserting 

 him for ever, as he was certain sure, throughout the length and 



^ 



