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Rh The evening was dark and excessively wet; and Paris, noisy, dirty and ill lighted, as it then was, did not present a very alluring aspect.

"Is this Bourdeaux?" inquired the lady of her companion, as they drew up at the Barrière to deliver their passports.

"Not exactly," replied he; "we shall be there by and by. But I propose remaining here tonight, and perhaps for a few days to recruit, if you have no objection."

"Not any," answered she; "I shall be very glad of a little rest, for I am very tired, and my head aches dreadfully with jolting over those stony roads."

"Allons, messieurs et mesdames!" cried the conducteur, when he had safely lodged the cumbrous vehicle in the court of the Bureau des Diligences, in the Rue Nôtre Dame des Victoires; "Allons! We are at the end of our journey. Have the goodness to get down. Permettez moi de vous assister," added he, taking the fair traveller round her slender waist, and placing her on the ground.

"We want a lodging," said the gentleman, in indifferent French, and addressing himself to one of the clerks. "Is there any thing to be got near here?"