stifled my feelings, and concluded to cultivate this old gentle man's acquaintance further, with the idea that perhaps I might be able to make use of him in the execution of any plans I might have for the future.
Taking out my watch, I found that it was half past three o'clock; so, excusing myself, I went to my room, and put on my hat to go out. On coming down stairs again, I found my new acquaintance in the hall, near the ladies' entrance. He asked me if I was going shopping; and on my replying that I merely proposed to go as far as the executive mansion, for the sake of a little exercise, he suggested that I ought to have an escort, and volunteered to accompany me. I thought this rather an impudent proceeding, considering our very brief acquaintance; but not knowing what advantage he might be to me, I accepted his attentions, with apparently the best possible grace.
Getting into a street car, we rode as far as the Park, opposite to the War Department. Taking a seat together under the trees, we entered into a conversation, which convinced me that the old gentleman was a harmless eccentric, who had become suddenly smitten with my charms. He had some very odd notions about politics, finance, and the like, but from such matters as these he ere long began to discourse upon my personal attractions, and finally became quite tenderly demonstrative towards me. I believe the old gentleman would have asked me to marry him, had I given him the least encouragement, but I was beginning to find him a nuisance, and resolved to return to the hotel.
He persisted in going with me, and when, on reaching the hotel, I hastily and somewhat impatiently excused myself, for, looking at my watch, I saw that it was ten minutes past five o'clock, he asked whether he might escort me to supper. I said that he was very kind, and to get rid of him, promised that he might have the pleasure of my company to the evening meal if he desired it. I then bounded up stairs, anxious to keep my appointment.
When I reached my room door it was locked, but in a moment more the key was turned, and, on going in, I found my Confederate officer waiting for me. He said that some one, after he had been there a short time, had tried to get in; he had put his foot against the door to prevent it from being opened; whereupon the person outside had worked at the lock for a while with a key. I replied, that he need not be
