igantic strength and size a grace and swiftness of
motion which no mastiff can possess. His smooth clean coat, of a
perfectly even slate colour throughout, was without folds, close as a
greyhound's, showing every articulation and every swelling muscle of his
body. His broad square head and monstrous jaw betrayed more of the
quickness and sudden ferocity of the tiger than those suggested by the
heavy, lion-like jowl of the English mastiff. His ears, too, were close
cropped, in accordance with the Russian fashion, and somehow the
compactness this gave to his head seemed to throw forward and bring into
prominence his great fiery eyes, that reflected red lights as he moved,
and did not tend to inspire confidence in the timid stranger.

"Do sit down," said Mrs. Goddard, and when the squire was seated Stamboul
sat himself down upon his haunches beside him, and looked slowly from his
master to the lady and back again, his tongue hanging out as though
anxious to hear what they might have to say to each other.

"I thought I should be sure to find you in the morning," began Mr. Juxon,
after a pause. "I hope I have not disturbed you?"

"Oh, not at all. Nellie has just finished her lessons."

"The fact is," continued the squire, "that I was going to survey the
nakedness of the land which has fallen to my lot, and as I came out of
the park I saw the cottage right before me and I could not resist the
temptation of calling. I had no idea we were such near neighbours."

"Yes," said Mrs. Goddard, "it is very near."

Mr. Juxon glanced round the room. He was not exactly at a loss for words,
but Mrs. Goddard did not seem inclined to encourage the conversation. He
saw that the room was not only exceedingly comfortable but that its
arrangement betrayed a considerable taste for luxury. The furniture was
of a kind not generally seen in cottages, and appeared to have formed
part of some great establishment. The carpet itself was of a finer and
softer kind than any at the Hall. The writing-table was a piece of richly
inlaid work, and the implements upon it were of the solid, severe and
valuable kind that are seen in rich men's houses. A clock which was
undoubtedly of the Louis Quinze period stood upon the chimneypiece. On
the walls were hung three or four pictures which, Mr. Juxon thought, must
be both old and of great value. Upon a little table by the fireplace lay
four or five objects of Chinese jade and Japanese ivory and a silver
chatel