just as I was going to step forward-to step ?-to rush forward from behind the urn where I had stood for a moment with thumping heart, Bessy's Ah!' or little cry was followed by a whack, which I heard as clear as anything I ever heard in my life;-and I saw the little captain spin back, topple over a chair heels up, and in this posture heard him begin to scream and curse in shrill tones.

Not for long, for as the captain and the chair tumble down, a door springs open ;-a man rushes in, who pounces like a panther upon the prostrate captain, pitches into his nose and eyes, and chokes his bad language by sending a fist down his naughty throat.

'Oh! thank you, Bedford !—please, leave him, Bedford ! that's enough. There, don't hurt him any more!' says Bessy, laughing—laughing, upon my word.

"Ah! will you?' says Bedford. 'Lie still, you little beggar, or I'll knock your head off. Look here, Miss Prior!-Elizabeth-dear-dear Elizabeth! I love you

with all my heart, and soul, and strength-I do.'

'O Bedford! Bedford!' warbles Elizabeth.

'I do! I can't help it. I must say it! Ever since Rome, I do. Lie still, you drunken little beast! It's no use. But I adore you, O Elizabeth! Elizabeth!' And there was Dick, who was always following Miss P. about, and poking his head into keyholes to spy her, actually making love to her over the prostrate body of the captain. Now, what was I to do? Wasn't I in a most confoundedly awkward situation? A lady had been attacked-a lady? -the lady, and I hadn't rescued her. Her insolent enemy was overthrown, and I hadn't done it. A champion, three inches shorter than myself, had come in, and dealt the blow. I was in such a rage of mortification, that I should have liked to thrash the captain and Bedford too. The first I know I could have matched the second was a tough little hero. And it was he who rescued the damsel, whilst I stood by! In a strait so odious, sudden, and humiliating, what should I, what could I, what did I do ?

Behind the lion and snake there is a brick wall and marble balustrade, built for no particular reason, but flanking three steps and a grassy terrace, which then rises up on a level to the house-windows. Beyond the balustrade is a shrubbery of more lilacs and so forth, by which you can walk round into another path, which also leads up

choked. Bessy ate plenty, and drank a glass of beer. It was her dinner, to be sure. Young Blacksheep did not appear. We did not miss him. When Lady Baker began to tell her story of George IV at Slane Castle, I went into my own room. I took a book. Books? Psha! I went into the garden. I took out a cigar. But, no, I would not smoke it. Perhaps she--many people don't like smoking.

I went into the garden. 'Come into the garden, Maud.' I sat by a large lilac bush. I waited. Perhaps she would come. The morning-room windows were wide open on the lawn. Will she never come? Ah! what is that tall form advancing? gliding-gliding into the chamber like a beauteous ghost? Who most does like an angel show, you may be sure 'tis she. She comes up to the glass. She lays her spectacles down on the mantelpiece. She puts a slim white hand over her auburn hair and looks into the mirror. Elizabeth, Elizabeth! I come!

As I came up, I saw a horrid little grinning, debauched face surge over the back of a great armchair and look towards Elizabeth. It was Captain Blacksheep, of course. He laid his elbows over the chair. He looked keenly and with a diabolical smile at the unconscious girl; and just as I reached the window, he cried out, Betsy Bellenden, by Jove!'

6

Elizabeth turned round, gave a little cry, and

but what happened I shall tell in the ensuing chapter.