or all that wretchedness."

"Oh yes, there are all sorts of attempts," and I told him of model
cottages, ragged schools, and the like, and promised to find him the
accounts; but he gave one of his low growls, as if this were but a
mockery of the direful need.

He had got his statement of Prometesky's case properly drawn up, and
had sent up a copy, but in vain; and had again been told that some
influential person must push it to give it any chance. Mr. Prosser's
acquaintance lay in no such line; or, at least, were most unlikely to
promote the pardon of an old incendiary.

"What will you do?" I asked. "Must you give it up?"

"Never! I will make a way at last."

Meantime, he was necessary to Eustace in accomplishing all the details
of taking possession. Horses were wanted by both, used to riding as
they had always been, and there was an old-fashioned fair on Neme
Heath, just beyond Mycening, rather famous for its good show of horses,
where there was a chance of finding even so rare an article as a hunter
up to Harold's weight, also a pony for Dora.

An excellent show of wild beasts was also there. Harold had been on
the heath when it was being arranged in the earliest morning hours, and
had fraternised with the keepers, and came home loquacious far more
than usual on the wonders he had seen. I remember that, instead of
being disappointed in the size of the lions and tigers, he dwelt with
special admiration on their supple and terrible strength of spine and
paw.

He wanted to take Dora at once to the menagerie, but I represented the
inexpedience of their taking her about with them to the horse-fair
afterwards, and made Eustace perceive that it would not do for Miss
Alison; and as Harold backed my authority, she did not look like
thunder for more than ten minutes when she found we were to drive to
Neme Heath, and that she was to go home with me after seeing the
animals. Eustace was uncertain about his dignity, and hesitated about
not caring and not intending, and not liking me to go alone, but made
up his mind that since he had to be at the fair, he would drive us.

So we had out the barouche, and Eustace held the reins with infinite
elation, while Harold endured the interior to reconcile Dora to it, and
was as much diverted as she was at the humours of the scene, exclaiming
at every stall of gilt gingerbread, every see-saw, and merry-go-round,
that lined the suburbs of Mycening, and I strongly suspect medita