oman who
had come to the door in some surprise, and ignoring her expression of
thanks, turned the head of his horse, and drove gloomily away.

That night, "Cobbler" Horn's outraged coachman sought speech with his
master.

"I wish to give you warning, sir," he said, touching his hat, and speaking
in tones of perfect respect.

Bounder's master started. He had intended to make the best of his
coachman.

"Why so, Bounder?" he asked. "Don't I give you money enough, or what?"

"Oh," replied Bounder, "the money's all right; but, to make a clean
breast of it, the service ain't ezactly what I've been used to. I ain't
been accustomed to drive about in back streets, and stop at cottages and
such; and to take up every tramp as you meets; and to carry labourer's
boots on the seat of the dog-cart."

"I'm afraid, Mr. Bounder," said "Cobbler" Horn, with a broad smile, "that
I've hurt your dignity."

"Well, as to that, sir," said the coachman, uneasily, "all as I wishes to
say is that I've been used to a 'igh class service; and I took this place
under a mis-happrehension."

"Very well, Bounder," rejoined "Cobbler" Horn, more gravely, "then we had
better part. For I can't promise you any different class of service,
seeing it is my intention to use my carriages quite as much for the
benefit of other people as for my own; and it is not at all likely that I
shall drive about much amongst fashionable folks. When do you wish to go,
Mr. Bounder?"

This was business-like indeed. Bounder was in no haste to reply.

"Because," resumed his master, "I will release you next week, if you
wish."

"Well, sir," replied Bounder slowly, "I shouldn't wish to go under the
month."

"Very well. But, you must know, Bounder, that I have no fault to find with
you. It's you who have given me notice, you know."

Bounder drew himself up to his full height. "Fault to find" with him! The
mere suggestion was an insult. But Bounder put it into his pocket.

"If you are in want of a character, now," resumed "Cobbler" Horn, "I
shall----"

"Thank you, sir," interposed Bounder with hauteur, "I am provided as to
that. There's more than one gentleman who will speak for me," and Bounder
faced about, and marched away with his nose turned towards the stars.

CHAPTER XXIX.

VAGUE SURMISINGS.

The feeling of familiarity with the previous abode of her employer, and
its surroundings, of which Miss O