18 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



and I had an opportunity of rendering him some 

 slight service. So one day, finding myself near 

 Rochester^ on my return from Canada, I determined 

 to present myself at Lake Manor. The servant who 

 opened the door told me that his master received 

 no one; but I desired him in a peremptory tone to 

 take in my card, and he did so. Within five minutes 

 Mr. P. came to the door himself, ofi'ering me his 

 hand with a gracious smile, and assuring me of the 

 pleasure which it gave him to receive me at his 

 home. 



"You must spend some time with us now; as 

 long as ever you please. Nothing will give me 

 greater pleasure." 



" Thank you, my dear P.," I replied, " but I am 

 only a bird of passage : indeed, a carrier-pigeon, 

 bearing news to my editor-in-chief." 



" Nonsense ; he must wait. "Write and tell him 

 that you will stay a fortnight here." 



"Impossible." 



"Well, then, a week?" 



" It cannot be : but still " 



"Ah! come in, then. Let me send for your bag- 

 gage and introduce you to America." Whereupon 

 Mr. P. led the way into a splendid drawing-room, 

 where I found, lounging gracefully on a settee 

 covered with poppy-coloured satin, the incomparable 

 America. She was dressed in white muslin, ex- 

 quisitely embroidered — a work of the fairies — and 



