ting a remittance from home that had not arrived, and I was
obliged to wait for it. The day before I left Paris I was regretting
that I had not been to Montmorency, and Mr. Kenderdine, who
overheard me, proposed that as I did not mind fatigue we should go.
By starting early in the morning we could make our 'last day,' as he
called it, a _fete_. I consented, and we arranged to take the early
train to Enghien, to breakfast there, ride through Montmorency to
the Chateau de la Chasse, where we could have dinner, and return in
time for the Belgian train in the evening. The next morning I was
ready, my riding-skirt in a satchel, and off we went. The day was
perfect, the air cool and delicious. We took the cars at the Gare du
Nord, and in less than an hour we arrived at Enghien, ordered
breakfast at a charming little hotel that overlooks the lake, and
had it brought to us on the balcony, from whence we could listen to
the band playing, and look at the beautiful villas that border the
water, watch the invalids taking their constitutionals, and see the
brightly-painted boats bobbing over the small waves. While waiting
for the horses, Fred made me go to the springs and taste the water,
which is horrid: then we mounted and cantered leisurely on to
Montmorency, a hilly, desolate-looking place, although so much
lauded by the Parisians: I suppose the beautiful forest in the
vicinity is its attraction. The road for the next five or six miles
was shaded by trees, and most of it was a soft turf on which the
horses' hoofs rebounded noiselessly, with views of rolling country
at intervals. The chateau had been a hunting-lodge two or three
hundred years ago, but nothing remains of it now but a couple of
towers, to which a modern country inn has been added, where
excellent dinners may be had, as I can testify. It is a great place
for the picnics and pleasure-parties of the natives, but foreigners
seldom visit it. After we had wandered about for several hours,
enjoying ourselves in that silly French way, with nothing but light
hearts, fresh air, green grass and blue sky for all incitement
thereto, I, in consideration of my evening journey, recommended our
return. We had the horses brought round, and then my career
commenced."

"Why, how?"

"You know that road from the chateau? No you don't, but I will te