really about to take leave of her, seemed to value our
society, and to be sorry to part with us.

"My dear Deborah, I trust you are well wrapped up for this cold raw
day," said our hostess, pressing on her departing guest all kinds of
provision for the journey. "I have ordered them to put up a paper of
sandwiches and some sherry, and a few biscuits and a bottle of
peppermint-water."

"And, Aunt Deborah," put in Cousin Amelia, "here's a comforter I've
made you myself, and a box of cayenne lozenges for your throat; and
don't forget the stone jug of hot water for your poor feet; and mind
you write directly you arrive--you or Kate," she added, turning to
address me almost for the first time since the memorable mistake about
Squire Haycock.

Aunt Deborah was completely overpowered by so much kindness.

"You'd better have the carriage all to yourself--you and your maid,"
persisted Lady Horsingham. "I'll drive Kate as far as the station in
the pony-carriage.--Kate, you're not afraid to trust yourself with me
in the pony-carriage?"

"Not I, indeed, aunt," was my reply, "nor with anybody else, for that
matter. I've pretty good nerves--there are few things that I am afraid
of."

"Indeed, Kate, I fear it is so," was my aunt's reply. "I own I should
like to see you a little more of a coward."

So it was settled that Aunt Deborah and Gertrude being safely packed
up in the close carriage, I should accompany Lady Horsingham, who was
rather proud of her charioteering skill, and drove stiff and upright,
as if she had swallowed the poker--never looking to the right or left,
or allowing her attention to wander for an instant from the ponies she
had undertaken to control.

Now, these said ponies had been doing nothing during the frost except
consuming their three feeds a day with vigorous appetite and a
considerable accession of high spirits. Consequently they were, what
is termed in stable language, very much "above themselves"--a state of
self-exaltation which they demonstrated by sundry unbecoming squeaks
and gambols as soon as they found themselves fairly started on their
journey. Tiny, the youngest and handsomest, would persist in shying,
plunging, and swerving against the pole, much to the demoralization of
his comrade, Mouse, a stiff-built little fellow with a thick neck, who
was ordinarily extremely well-behaved, but apt on occasions like the
present to lower his rebellious little head and defy all control.

Lady Horsin