her, I think, Zenobia.«
    »That is her name in literature,« observed I - »a name, too, which possibly
she may permit her private friends to know and address her by; - but not one
which they feel at liberty to recognize, when used of her, personally, by a
stranger or casual acquaintance.«
    »Indeed!« answered this disagreeable person; and he turned aside his face,
for an instant, with a brief laugh, which struck me as a noteworthy expression
of his character. »Perhaps I might put forward a claim, on your own grounds, to
call the lady by a name so appropriate to her splendid qualities. But I am
willing to know her by any cognomen that you may suggest.«
    Heartily wishing that he would be either a little more offensive, or a good
deal less so, or break off our intercourse altogether, I mentioned Zenobia's
real name.
    »True,« said he; »and, in general society, I have never heard her called
otherwise. And, after all, our discussion of the point has been gratuitous. My
object is only to inquire when, where, and how, this lady may most conveniently
be seen?«
    »At her present residence, of course,« I replied. »You have but to go
thither and ask for her. This very path will lead you within sight of the
houses; - so I wish you good morning.«
    »One moment, if you please,« said the stranger. »The course you indicate
would certainly be the proper one, in an ordinary morning-call. But my business
is private, personal, and somewhat peculiar. Now, in a Community like this, I
should judge that any little occurrence is likely to be discussed rather more
minutely than would quite suit my views. I refer solely to myself, you
understand, and without intimating that it would be other than a matter of
entire indifference to the lady. In short, I especially desire to see her in
private. If her habits are such as I have known them, she is probably often to
be met with in the woods, or by the river-side; and I think you could do me the
favor to point out some favorite walk, where, about this hour, I might be
fortunate enough to gain an interview.«
    I reflected, that it would be quite a super-erogatory piece of quixotism, in
me, to undertake the guardianship of Zenobia, who, for my pains, would only make
me the butt