I went to Paris I went farther, and wandered about Germany I tried to amuse myself, and I failed miserably aimless whims of an idle and useless man come all sorts of suggestions for good resolutions One day up my mind that go and bury myself in German university for time, and live simply like poor student I started intention of going to Leipzig, determined to stay there until some event should direct my life or change my humor, or make an end of me altogether The express train stopped at some station know the name dusk on winter's afternoon, and I peered thick glass from my seat Suddenly another train came gliding in opposite direction, and stopped alongside of ours I looked carriage which chanced abreast , and idly read the black letters painted on white board swinging brass handrail: BERLIN--COLOGNE--PARIS Then I looked up window above I started violently, cold perspiration broke out upon my forehead dim light, not six feet from where I sat, the face of woman, the face I loved, the straight, fine features, the strange eyes, the wonderful mouth, the pale skin Her head-dress was dark veil which seemed tied about her head and passed over the shoulders under her chin As I threw down the window and knelt cushioned seat, leaning far out better view, long whistle screamed station, followed by quick series of dull, clanking sounds; then slight jerk, and my train moved on Luckily the window was narrow, being the one over the seat, beside the door, or I believe jumped out of it then and there In an instant the speed increased, and being carried swiftly away opposite direction thing I loved

For quarter of an hour I lay back in my place, stunned suddenness apparition At last two other passengers, large and gorgeous captain White Konigsberg Cuirassiers, civilly but firmly suggested that shut my window, evening was cold so, with an apology, and relapsed into silence The train ran swiftly on , and already beginning to slacken speed before entering another station, when I roused myself and made sudden resolution carriage stopped brilliantly lighted platform, I seized my belongings, saluted my fellow-passengers, and got out, determined to first express back to Paris

the circumstances vision so natural strike me that anything unreal face, or woman it belonged try to explain to myself how the face, woman, traveling by fast train from Berlin to Paris on winter's afternoon, when both were in my mind indelibly associated moonlight fountains in my own English home I certainly have admitted that I mistaken dusk, attributing to what I had seen resemblance to my former vision which really exist not the slightest doubt in my mind, and positively sure that I had again seen the face I loved hesitate, and in few hours on my way back to Paris help reflecting on my ill luck Wandering as I for many months, it might as easily have chanced that traveling same train woman, instead of going the other way But my luck was destined for time

I searched Paris for I dined principal hotels; I went theaters; I rode Bois de Boulogne morning, and picked up an acquaintance, whom I forced to drive with me afternoon I went to mass Madeleine, and I attended the services English Church I hung Louvre and Notre Dame I went to Versailles I spent hours in parading the Rue de Rivoli, neighborhood of Meurice's corner, where foreigners pass and repass from morning till night At last I received an invitation to reception English Embassy I went, and what I had sought

There she was, sitting by an old lady in gray satin and diamonds, who had wrinkled but kindly face and keen gray eyes that seemed in everything they saw, with very little inclination much in return But notice the chaperon only the face that had haunted me for months, and excitement moment I walked quickly toward the pair, forgetting such trifle necessity for an introduction

She was far more beautiful than I had thought, but I never doubted she herself and no other Vision or no vision before, the reality, and it Twice her hair covered, now at last it, added beauty magnificence glorified the whole woman rich hair, fine and abundant, golden, with deep ruddy tints like red bronze spun fine no ornament , not rose, not thread of gold, and needed nothing to enhance its splendor; nothing but her pale face, her dark strange eyes, and her heavy eyebrows I that she was slender too, but strong withal, as she sat there quietly gazing moving scene midst brilliant lights hum of perpetual conversation

I recollected the detail of introduction , and turned aside to look host him at last I begged him me two ladies, pointing them out to him same time

"Yes--uh--by all means--uh," replied his Excellency with pleasant smile He evidently had no idea name, not wondered at

" Lord Cairngorm," I observed

"Oh--by all means," answered the Ambassador same hospitable smile "Yes--uh--the fact is, try and find out who ; such lots of people, "

"Oh, present me, try and find out ," said I, laughing

"Ah, yes--so kind of you--come along," said my host We threaded the crowd, and we stood two ladies

"'Lowmintrduce L'd Cairngorm," ; then, adding quickly , "Come and dine to-morrow, won't you ? " he glided away pleasant smile and disappeared crowd

I sat down beside the beautiful girl, conscious eyes duenna were upon me

" very near meeting before," I remarked, by way of opening the conversation

My companion turned her eyes full upon me with an air of inquiry She evidently recall my face, if she had ever seen me

"Really-- remember," she observed, in low and musical voice "When ? "

" first place, you came down from Berlin express ten going the other way, carriages stopped opposite you window "

"Yes--we came that way, but remember--" She hesitated

"Secondly," I continued, " sitting alone in my garden last summer--near the end of July-- remember ? wandered in there park; you came house and looked at me--"

" you ? " she asked, in evident surprise Then she broke into laugh " everybody I had seen ghost; there had never been any Cairngorms place memory of man We left the , and never heard that you had come there; indeed, know the castle belonged "

"Where were you staying ? " I asked

"Where ? Why, with my aunt, where I always stay your neighbor, since you "

"I--beg your pardon--but then--is your aunt Lady Bluebell ? quite catch--"

"Don't be afraid amazingly deaf Yes the relict beloved uncle, the sixteenth or seventeenth Baron Bluebell--I forget exactly been And I-- who ? " She laughed, well knowing that

"No," I answered frankly " the least idea I asked introduced because I recognized you Perhaps--perhaps Miss Bluebell ? "