hey had held them under the dogs' noses and then off they
went! First they rushed here to the stairs; then to the stables, then to
the lodgings of one of the horse-trainers, and I kept close behind, after
the terriers and the other dogs. Then they stopped to consider and at
last they all ran out at the gate towards the town. I ought not to have
gone beyond the court-yard, but--do not be cross with me--it was such
fun!--Out they went, along Hapi Street, across the square, and at last
into the Goldsmith's Street, and there the whole pack plunged into
Gamaliel's shop--the Jew who is always so merry. While he was talking to
the others his wife gave me some apricot tartlets; we do not have such
good ones at home."

"And did they find the man?" asked Paula, who had changed color
repeatedly during the child's story.

"I do not know," said Mary sadly. "They were not chasing any one in
particular. The dogs kept their noses to the ground, and we ran after
them."

"And only to catch a man, who certainly had nothing whatever to do with
the theft.--Reflect a little, Mary. The shoes gave the dogs the scent and
they were set on to seize the man who had worn them, but whom no judge
had examined. The shoes were found in the hall; perhaps he had dropped
them by accident, or some one else may have carried them there. Now think
of yourself in the place of an innocent man, a Christian like ourselves,
hunted with a pack of dogs like a wild beast. Is it not frightful? No
good heart should laugh at such a thing!"

Paula spoke with such impressive gravity and deep sorrow, and her whole
manner betrayed such great and genuine distress that the child looked tip
at her anxiously, with tearful eyes, threw herself against her, and
hiding her face in Paula's dress exclaimed: "I did not know that they
were hunting a poor man, and if it makes you so sad, I wish I had not
been there! But is it really and truly so bad? You are so often unhappy
when we others laugh!" She gazed into Paula's face with wide, wondering
eyes through her tears, and Paula clasped her to her, kissed her fondly,
and replied with melancholy sweetness:

"I would gladly be as gay as you, but I have gone through so much to
sadden me. Laugh and be merry to your heart's content; I am glad you
should. But with regard to the poor hunted man, I fear he is my father's
freedman, the most faithful, honest soul! Did your exciting hunt drive
any one out of the goldsmith's shop?"

Mary sho