ueror, he had placed himself before his sisters to
bear the brunt of the next assault.

Seeing at a glance that his daughters were untouched, the marquis
ran on to Harry, who was standing panting and breathless, and threw
his arms round him.

"My brave boy," he exclaimed, "you have saved my daughters from a
dreadful death by your courage and devotion. How can I and their
mother ever thank you? I saw it all from the terrace--the speed
with which you sprang to their assistance--the quickness of thought
with which you stripped off your coat and threw it over its head.
After that I could see nothing except your rolling over and over
in a confused mass. You are not hurt, I trust?"

"Not a bit, sir," Harry said.

"And you have killed it--wonderful!"

"There was nothing in that, sir. I have heard my father, who is a
doctor, say that a man could kill the biggest dog if he could get
it down on its back and kneel on it. So when I once managed to get
my knees on it I felt it was all right."

"Ah, it is all very well for you to speak as if it were nothing!"
the marquis said. "There are few men, indeed, who would throw
themselves in the way of a mad dog, especially of such a formidable
brute as that. You too have behaved with courage, my son, and I
saw you were ready to give your life for your sisters; but you had
not the quickness and readiness of your friend, and would have been
too late."

"It is true, father," Ernest said in a tone of humility. "I should
have been too late, and, moreover, I should have been useless, for
he would have torn me down in a moment, and then fallen upon my
sisters. M. Sandwith," he said frankly, "I own I have been wrong.
I have thought the games of which you spoke, and your fighting, rough
and barbarous; but I see their use now. You have put me to shame.
When I saw that dog I felt powerless, for I had not my sword with
me; but you--you rushed to the fight without a moment's hesitation,
trusting in your strength and your head. Yes, your customs have
made a man of you, while I am a boy still."

"You are very good to say so," Harry said; "but I am quite sure that
you would be just as quick and ready as me in most circumstances,
and if it had been a matter of swords, very much more useful; but I
am glad you see there is some advantage in our rough English ways."

The marquis had put his hand approvingly upon Ernest's shoulder
when he addressed Harry, and then turned to his daughters. The
gov