s behind me, with sharp short pants as
of a small steam-engine, and Rollo, the black retriever, just released
from his chain by some friendly hand, burst through the underwood,
seeking congenial company. I joyfully hailed him to stop and be a
panther, but he sped away round the pond, upset Charlotte with a
boisterous caress, and seizing Jerry by the middle, disappeared with him
down the drive. Charlotte panting, raved behind the swift-footed avenger
of crime; Rosa lay dishevelled, bereft of consciousness; Jerry himself
spread helpless arms to heaven, and I almost thought I heard a cry for
mercy, a tardy promise of amendment. But it was too late. The Black Man
had got Jerry at last; and though the tear of sensibility might bedew an
eye or two for his lost sake, no one who really knew him could deny the
justice of his fate.

[Illustration]

'YOUNG ADAM CUPID'

NOBODY would have suspected Edward of being in love, had it not been
that after breakfast, with an overacted carelessness, 'Anybody who
likes,' he said, 'can feed my rabbits,' and he disappeared, with a
jauntiness that deceived nobody, in the direction of the orchard. Now
kingdoms might totter and reel, and convulsions play skittles with the
map of Europe; but the iron unwritten law prevailed, that each boy
severely fed his own rabbits. There was good ground, then, for suspicion
and alarm; and while the lettuce leaves were being drawn through the
wires, Harold and I conferred seriously on the situation.

It may be thought that the affair was none of our business; and indeed
we cared little as individuals. We were only concerned as members of a
corporation, for each of whom the mental or physical ailment of one of
his fellows might have far-reaching effects. It was thought best that
Harold, as least open to suspicion of motive, should be despatched to
probe and peer. His instructions were, to proceed by a report on the
health of our rabbits in particular; to glide gently into a discussion
concerning rabbits in general, their customs, practices, and vices; and
to pass thence, by a natural transition, to the female sex, the inherent
flaws in its composition, and the reasons for regarding it (speaking
broadly) as dirt. He was especially to be very diplomatic, and then to
return and report progress. He departed on his mission gaily; but his
absence was short, and his return, discomfited and in tears, seemed to
betoken some want of parts for diplomacy. He had