opes to the marquee, by one of the many smart
ladies' maids in attendance. But when we entered, the effect, at once so
fairy-like and so elegant, rendered me motionless and almost senseless.
The interior was draped with pink and green, and the elegant stalls were
being laid out with all their pretty trifles. I was honoured with a
place on the stall of the Duchess herself, and had therefore an
excellent opportunity of witnessing the habits and manners of real high
life, and I felt at once in my element. Here, thought I, am I placed in
my natural sphere, a dweller with the fair and the noble, surrounded
with rank and beauty, and breathing only the refined air of higher life.
I was cut short in my musings by Lord Adolphus, the youngest son of the
Duchess, who, with the charming vivacity so natural to his birth and
station, abstracted me from the dainty basket in which I reposed, with a
few companions of less merit. I was soon in full activity, and took my
first flights to admiration, by the ready and graceful assistance of
himself and a young companion, also a titled member of society.

"'What a jolly shuttlecock,' remarked Lord Adolphus, 'it goes as high as
the top of the tent, I declare. I say, Gerry, do you think you could
pitch it over, outside? I'll bet you twopence you don't.'

"'I'll lay six to one, I _do_,' replied Sir Gerald, running eagerly out
of the tent, with me in his hand. He did not exhibit _quite_ the same
amount of refinement as his noble young friend; in fact, he was more
like boys in general, and lacked that _perfume_, if I may call it so, of
high breeding which so signally showed itself in _my_ earliest friend,
Lord Adolphus. After a spirited contest between the two gallant boys, I
_was_ thrown over the marquee, and, after such a lofty and prolonged
flight, fell exhausted, without the power of saving myself, into a
little crystal pool of water close by. I heard my noble young
playfellows searching for me everywhere, and began to entertain a deadly
fear that I should be left in my watery prison. Luckily, the warm day
and their game had made them thirsty, and they both came to quench their
thirst here, little thinking of finding me, whom they had no doubt so
long and vainly searched for.

"'By Jove, Dolly,' cried Sir Gerald, '_here's_ the shuttlecock after
all!'

"'What a lark,' replied Lord Adolphus; 'it's been chucked into old
Rosamond's well, and ought to come out beautiful for ever!'

"'I'm glad