of all. Nell was so
sure of her seat, so confident in Robin's powers, that she no longer
even clasped his arched neck. Up flew her hands in the air. The
delirious excitement rendered her giddy.

"Hurrah! hurrah!" she shouted.

The gay words were interrupted by eager words from approaching
spectators. The gate of the paddock was pushed open, and Kitty, aged
nine, followed by Boris, who was only seven, rushed on the scene. The
children were followed by a couple of grooms and a strange,
horsey-looking man.

"Oh, Nell, Nell!" exclaimed Kitty.

"They're sold, Nell," said Boris, in a gloomy voice. "You'd better get
down. That fellow there has come"--waving his hand with immense dignity
in the direction of the horsey man--"that fellow has come to take them
away; they're sold."

"I don't believe it," said Nell.

Robin, who obeyed her slightest word, stood stock still when she told
him. She dropped off his back with the lightness of a bird.

"Who says they're sold?" she asked. "I don't believe it."

She pressed her hand to her heart as she spoke, a pang of keen pain had
shot through it; she turned pale, and her eyes still blazed.

"I don't believe it a bit," she said. "I'll go and find father and ask
him if its true; I know it isn't true."

"There's father coming into the field," said Boris. "Yes, it's true
enough, but you can ask him."

"Well, my man," said the Squire, who came upon the scene at this moment,
"your master has sent you for the colts, I suppose? Here they are,
as----Why, what's the matter, Nell? How white you are, child, and--not
so tight, Nell, not so tight, you're half strangling me! What is it, my
love--what is it?"

"You haven't sold Robin and Joe, father?"

"Oh, now, my little girl"--the Squire began to pat Nell's trembling
hands soothingly. He looked hard into her quivering face, then, bending
down, whispered something in her ear.

No one else heard the words.

Nell's frantic grasp relaxed; she let her hands fall to her sides and
looked piteously round.

Robin and Joe had both followed her across the paddock. Robin expected
his russet apple--Joe looked for his canter with Nell on his back.

"There's a brave little girl," said her father. "'Pon my word, I
wouldn't do it if I could help it."

"No, father dear; of course not."

"You're a plucky young 'un," said her father admiringly. Boris and Kitty
came close; the grooms and the horse-dealer also approached. There was a
sort of ring