dies were not in the habit of trailing all over the country by
themselves; but I expect soon to hear of their farming and fishing and
shooting, I shouldn't wonder--not worse than _hunting_, at any rate.
However, I say nothing;" and Cousin Amelia with her lackadaisical
sneer, and her avowal that "she was not _equal_ to walking," and her
offer to "go as far as the garden with me in the afternoon." So I
tripped down the back staircase and away to the stables with a bit of
sugar for Brilliant, who had arrived safely by the train in company
with White Stockings, and on through the kitchen-garden and the
home-farm up to the free, fresh, breezy down.

I do enjoy a walk by myself, and it was the last chance I should have
of one; for Cousin John was expected that very day, and when Cousin
John and I are anywhere, of course we are inseparable. But I am sure
an occasional stroll quite by oneself does one more good than
anything. I think of such quantities of things that never occur to me
at other times--fairies, brigands, knights, and damsels, and all sorts
of wild adventures; and I feel so brave and determined, as if I could
face anything in a right cause, and so _good_, and I make such
excellent resolutions, and walk faster and faster, and get more and
more romantic, like a goose, as I know I am.

Well, it was a beautiful morning, early in autumn--blue sky, light
fleecy clouds, a sharp, clear air from the north, the low country
studded with corn-ricks, and alive with reapers and cart-teams and
cattle. A green valley below me, rich in fine old timber, and clothed
with high, thick hedgerows, concealing the sluggish river that stole
softly away, and only gleamed out here and there to light up the
distance; whilst above and around me stretched far and wide the vast
expanse of down, cutting sharply against the sky, and dwarfing to mere
shrubs the clumps of old fir trees that relieved its magnificent
monotony. I was deep in a daydream and an imaginary conversation with
Frank Lovell--in which I was running over with much mental eloquence
what _I_ should say, and what _he_ would say, and what _I_ should
reply to _that_--when a shrill whistle caused me to start and turn
suddenly round; whilst at the same instant a great black retriever
bounced up against my legs, and two handsome pointers raced by me as
if just emancipated from the kennel. The consequence of all this was
that I stepped hastily on a loose stone, turned my foot the wrong