s his
legs would carry him to the cavern where the doctor was
imprisoned, paid the amount of the debt for which he had
been arrested, and took young Ferret home with him to
consult about their future conduct.

[Illustration: LONGTAIL TEACHING THE YOUNG RABBITS
ARITHMETIC.]

It would have amused you, could you have heard all the plans
discussed by these young lovers for their joint benefit; how
the one talked of his darling Miss Weasel, and the other of
his dear Miss Pussy; how they agreed that in matters of love
every thing was allowable; and how they swore eternal
friendship to each other throughout their lives.

Two days afterwards it was known all over Holm-wood that the
fair Miss Weasel had eloped with Longtail Marten. Mrs. Goose
and the four Miss Goslings were full of the information for
every one they met. It was the finest piece of scandal they
had known for years. "Only think," said they, "after all her
engagement to young Doctor Ferret, to go and take up with
the schoolmaster; and all, forsooth, because Old Marten is
rich!"

But scarce had the first news of Miss Weasel's extraordinary
behaviour run through the farm-yard, than old Bantam was
seen hurrying in, very red in the face from over exertion,
and was heard to declare, that he never knew the like of it,
but as sure as he was a living cock, he had met young Ferret
the physician running away with Miss Pussy, the daughter of
old Mrs. Hare of the Ferns. Mrs. Goose turned up the whites
of her eyes and almost fainted. Dame Partlett ran with
all speed, that she might be the first to cackle the
intelligence to Mr. Drake; and the whole island was soon
in a ferment at this wonderful piece of gossip.

Of course, old Mr. Marten soon heard of all this; and so
pleased was he that he immediately altered his will,
doubling the amount he had previously given to his dear boy
Longtail, and getting so extremely excited at the "Huntsman
and Hounds" on the same afternoon, that, sad to relate, he
was untimely carried off by an effusion of blood.

And what think you became of the lovers? Why, the very day
all this commotion happened at Holm-wood the two pair met at
their aunt's, old Mrs. Stoat's, of Four-mile Cross, as they
had agreed. There the young fellows, overjoyed at the
success of their scheme, changed their fair partners, and,
to complete their happiness, immediately set out for a tour
on the neighbouring Continent.

There, on fine summer evenings, yo