days, which sometimes intervene between the rough winds of October and
the crisp frosts of Christmas, and which, although too dirty under foot
to be quite pleasant for walking, are yet, during the few hours that the
sun is above the horizon, mild enough for an open carriage in our shady
lanes, strewed as they are at that period with the yellow leaves of the
elm, whilst the hedgerows are still rich with the tawny foliage of the
oak, and the rich colouring of the hawthorn and the bramble. It was such
weather as the Americans generally enjoy at this season, and call by the
pretty name of the Indian summer. And we resolved to avail ourselves of
the fineness of the day to drive to Ashley End, and inform Mrs. King
and Tom (who we felt ought to know) of the loss of Chloe, and our fear,
according with Mrs. Keating's, that she had been stolen; adding our
persuasion, which was also that of Mrs. Keating, that, fall into
whatever hands she might, she was too beautiful and valuable not to
ensure good usage.

On the way we were overtaken by the good widow's landlord, returning
from hunting, in his red coat and top-boots, who was also bound to
Ashley End. As he rode chatting by the side of the carriage, we could
not forbear telling him our present errand, and the whole story of poor
Chloe. How often, without being particularly uncharitable in judging of
our neighbours, we have the gratification of finding them even better
than we had supposed! He blamed us for not having thought well enough
of him to put the whole affair into his management from the first, and
exclaimed against us for fearing that he would compare the preserves and
the pheasant-shooting with such an attachment as had subsisted between
his good old tenant and her faithful dog. "By Jove!" cried he, "I
would have paid the tax myself rather than they should have been parted.
But it's too late to talk of that now, for, of course, the dog is
stolen. Eighty miles is too far even for a spaniel to find its way back!
Carried by coach, too! I would give twenty pounds willingly to replace
her with old Dame King and Master Tom. By the way, we must see what can
be done for that boy--he's a fine spanking fellow. We must consult his
grandmother. The descendant of two faithful servants has an hereditary
claim to all that can be done for him. How could _you_ imagine that I
should be thinking of those coverts? I that am as great a dog-lover as
Dame King herself! I have a great mind to be