This diversion would have ended soon in any event; but it was
brought to an abrupt termination by a cablegram from my New York
lawyers, asking me to return to America at once. Some rascality
it was, on the part of the agent of my estate, which had alarmed
them; the cablegram was bare of detail. At any rate, I could not
afford to disregard it, and arranged passage on a liner sailing
from Cherbourg the following day.
My hostess gave me a farewell dinner, which heightened my regret
at being forced to leave, and little Eugenie seemed really
grieved at my departure. It is pleasant to leave a welcome behind
you; that is really the only necessary axiom of the traveler.
Janvour took me to the railroad station, and even offered to
accompany me to Cherbourg; but I refused to tear him away from
his little paradise.
We stood on the platform arguing the matter, when I suddenly
became aware of that indistinct flutter and bustle seen in public
places at some unusual happening or the unexpected arrival of a
great personage.
I turned and saw that which was worthy of the interest it had
excited.
In the first place, the daintiest little electric brougham in the
world, fragile and delicate as a toy--a fairy's chariot.
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