After being absent for several years, he came back to New Orleans some months before the departure of Mrs.Wentworth's husband, but never called upon her until after he had left, when she was surprised at the visit narrated in the foregoing chapter.
This gentleman was seated in the portico of the St.Charles Hotel a few mornings after his visit to Mrs.Wentworth, and by his movements of impatience was evidently awaiting the arrival of some one.

At last a young man ran down the steps leading from the apartments, and he rose hurriedly to meet him.
"You are the very man I have been waiting to see," said Horace Awtry; "you must excuse my apparent neglect in not calling on you before." "Certainly, my dear fellow," replied the gentleman.

"I am certain your reasons are good for not attending to your arrangement punctually--by the way," he continued, "who the deuce was that lady I saw you escorting to church last Sunday ?" "An acquaintance of mine that I had not seen for years, until a few days ago chance threw me in her path and I paid her a visit." "Ha, ha, ha," laughed his companion.

"I understand; but who is she, and her name?
She is very pretty," he continued, gravely.
"Hush, Charlie!" replied Horace; "come to my room in the St.Louis Hotel, and I will tell you all about it." "Wait a moment, my friend, and let me get some breakfast," he replied.
"Pooh!" said Horace, "we can have breakfast at Galpin's after I have conversed with you at my room; or," he continued, "I will order a breakfast and champagne to be brought up to my room." "As you like," said the other, taking a couple of cigars from his pocket and offering one to his companion.
After lighting their cigars, the two men left the hotel, and purchasing the New York _Herald_ and _News_ from the news-dealer below, proceeded to the St.Louis Hotel, where Horace ordered a breakfast and champagne for himself and guest.
Throwing himself on one of the richly-covered couches that ornamented the apartment, Charles Bell--for that was the name of the gentleman--requested his friend to inform him who the lady was that he escorted to church.
"Well, my dear friend," said Horace, "as you appear so desirous to know I will tell you.

I met that lady some seven years ago at Saratoga Springs.