on
him. The half-drowned cur, having supplicated the bear in vain to let
him out before he commenced his narration, in accents sadly interrupted
by his throat getting at intervals choked with dirty water, explained
that himself and the others of his assailants were the attendants of
one of the most noble families in Caneville; and that their master,
learning from some member of Count von Bruin's household that he (the
Count) intended meeting the eldest daughter at this spot to-night, had
commanded a body of his servitors to be in readiness to fall upon him,
and if possible take him prisoner, for presuming to raise or lower his
eyes to a damsel of such standing.

Scarcely had Bruin heard this communication to an end, than, despite his
promise and the poor dog's cries, he caught up a huge clod of earth and
dropped it upon the devoted head of the struggling animal beneath. There
was a great splash; a bubble or two came to the surface of the horrid
pool, and the brutal deed was consummated. Yet at the same moment Bruin
regretted he had been so precipitate, for he had not learnt _which_
member of his household had played the spy. As he slowly left the place,
he revolved this subject in his mind, but could come to no satisfactory
conclusion; for though Fox appeared the most likely to be guilty, that
worthy animal had made himself so useful to his master, that he could
not well manage without him. He resolved, nevertheless, to watch him
closely, and with this prudent resolve he reached his own door.

Very different was his appearance now to that which it presented on his
issuing from the mansion. His coat torn to ribbons, his hat without a
crown, his majestic frill rumpled and bloody, and his waistcoat without
a single button left wherewith to restrain the exuberance of his linen.
All his domestics were eager in their inquiries and offers of service;
and Fox was so overpowering in his expressions of regret, that all
suspicion vanished from Bruin's brain at once; and he attributed his
informant's tale to some malicious calumny, invented to save his life
and conceal the true cause of the attack upon him.

Our hero, finding that the paths of gallantry were filled with so much
unpleasantness, resolved, like a prudent animal, to avoid them carefully
in future; but as his desire for an introduction to society continued,
he availed himself of the offer of his steward, who promised to procure
him introductions to youth of the best