ft the room, returning in a very few moments with a pretty
spangled suit of knickerbockers, which she put on Orion, and which
quite enchanted him.

"If you are a good boy," she continued, "you won't dislike the life
with us. I wonder if you are fond of horses?"

"Horses!" said Orion, his eyes sparkling. "Rather!"

"Well, Uncle Ben will teach you to ride, and to jump, and to do all
kinds of things. Now, just stand back, and let me dress little missy,
for Ben is waiting to begin the rehearsal. Missy, you let me put on
your dress."

Diana was only too willing to be attired in a flimsy skirt of white
tarlatan, which stuck out from her little figure; she also wore wings
on her shoulders, and her black hair was rendered gay with bows of
crimson ribbon. She felt quite excited and pleased with herself.

"I spects I look awfu' pwetty," she said. "I'd like to see my own self
in a looking-glass. Has you got a looking-glass in your pocket, Aunt
Sawah?"

"Yes, dear; a small one."

Aunt Sarah whipped her hand into a deep pocket and took out a glass.
Diana surveyed herself critically in its depths.

"I like my dwess," she said, "but I don't like this howid bwown stuff
on my face."

"Never mind, dear; bear it for the present. When we get down to the
southwest of England it shall all be taken off; but up here Uncle Ben
thinks it best for you both to have it on."

"Why?" asked Diana.

Aunt Sarah was puzzled for a moment.

"'Cos it's wholesome," she said at last.

"And isn't it wholesome in the southwest of England?" asked Diana.

Aunt Sarah was puzzled how to reply. Diana, who was gazing at her very
intently, burst into a clear, childish laugh.

"Do you know you _is_ a humbug?" she said. "You know perfect well why
you is using that. You want to hide us, that's why. What a silly old
Aunt Sawah you is!"

Before Aunt Sarah could make a suitable reply, the loud voice of Uncle
Ben was heard in the distance.

"Come, Sarah," he called, "bring those kids along. I can't be kept
waiting another minute."

"Now then, dears," said Aunt Sarah, "I'll take you to the circus."

"The circus!" cried Diana. "Is we going to a circus? I love 'em!"

"Well, my dear, you are not only going to _see_ a circus, but you are
going soon to be part of a circus. Uncle Ben owns one; it's a sort of
traveling circus. He takes it about with him from one part of the
country to another. You'll be part of the circus in the future, little
miss."

"A