AmRheinTheaboveeverydayeventshadoccurred，andafewweekshadpassed，whenononefinemorning，Parliamentbeingover，thesummeradvanced，andallthegoodcompanyinLondonabouttoquitthatcityfortheirannualtourinsearchofpleasureorhealth，theBataviersteamboatlefttheTower-stairsladenwithagoodlycompanyofEnglishfugitives。Thequarter-deckawningswereup，andthebenchesandgangwayscrowdedwithscoresofrosychildren，bustlingnursemaids；ladiesintheprettiestpinkbonnetsandsummerdresses；gentlemenintravellingcapsandlinen-jackets，whosemustachioshadjustbeguntosproutfortheensuingtour；andstouttrimoldveteranswithstarchedneckclothsandneat-brushedhats，suchashaveinvadedEuropeanytimesincetheconclusionofthewar，andcarrythenationalGoddemintoeverycityoftheContinent。Thecongregationofhat-boxes，andBramahdesks，anddressing-caseswasprodigious。TherewerejauntyyoungCambridge-mentravellingwiththeirtutor，andgoingforareadingexcursiontoNonnenwerthorKonigswinter；therewereIrishgentlemen，withthemostdashingwhiskersandjewellery，talkingabouthorsesincessantly，andprodigiouslypolitetotheyoungladiesonboard，whom，onthecontrary，theCambridgeladsandtheirpale-facedtutoravoidedwithmaidencoyness；therewereoldPallMallloungersboundforEmsandWiesbadenandacourseofwaterstoclearoffthedinnersoftheseason，andalittlerouletteandtrente-
et-quarantetokeeptheexcitementgoing；therewasoldMethuselah，whohadmarriedhisyoungwife，withCaptainPapillonoftheGuardsholdingherparasolandguide-books；therewasyoungMaywhowascarryingoffhisbrideonapleasuretourMrs。Winterthatwas，andwhohadbeenatschoolwithMay’sgrandmother；therewasSirJohnandmyLadywithadozenchildren，andcorrespondingnursemaids；andthegreatgrandeeBareacresfamilythatsatbythemselvesnearthewheel，staredateverybody，andspoketonoone。Theircarriages，emblazonedwithcoronetsandheapedwithshiningimperials，wereontheforedeck，lockedinwithadozenmoresuchvehicles：itwasdifficulttopassinandoutamongstthem；andthepoorinmatesofthefore-cabinhadscarcelyanyspaceforlocomotion。TheseconsistedofafewmagnificentlyattiredgentlemenfromHoundsditch，whobroughttheirownprovisions，andcouldhaveboughthalfthegaypeopleinthegrandsaloon；afewhonestfellowswithmustachiosandportfolios，whosettosketchingbeforetheyhadbeenhalfanhouronboard；oneortwoFrenchfemmesdechambrewhobegantobedreadfullyillbythetimetheboathadpassedGreenwich；agroomortwowholoungedintheneighbourhoodofthehorse-boxesundertheircharge，orleanedoverthesidebythepaddle-wheels，andtalkedaboutwhowasgoodfortheLeger，andwhattheystoodtowinorlosefortheGoodwoodcup。
Allthecouriers，whentheyhaddoneplungingabouttheshipandhadsettledtheirvariousmastersinthecabinsoronthedeck，congregatedtogetherandbegantochatterandsmoke；theHebrewgentlemenjoiningthemandlookingatthecarriages。TherewasSirJohn’sgreatcarriagethatwouldholdthirteenpeople；myLordMethuselah’scarriage，myLordBareacres’chariot，britzska，andfourgon，thatanybodymightpayforwholiked。
ItwasawonderhowmyLordgotthereadymoneytopayfortheexpensesofthejourney。TheHebrewgentlemenknewhowhegotit。TheyknewwhatmoneyhisLordshiphadinhispocketatthatinstant，andwhatinteresthepaidforit，andwhogaveithim。Finallytherewasaveryneat，handsometravellingcarriage，aboutwhichthegentlemenspeculated。
“Aquicettevoiturela？”saidonegentleman-courierwithalargemoroccomoney-bagandear-ringstoanotherwithear-ringsandalargemoroccomoney-bag。