stream ran murmuring at the
foot, while beds of flowers on every hand shed their odors on the summer
air. It was, indeed, a pleasant place to spend the warm weather, and
the colonel and his family gave Jerome a most cordial welcome. Miss G.
showed especial attention to the stranger. He had not intended remaining
longer than the following day: but the family insisted on his taking
part in a fox-hunt that was to come off on the morning of the third day.
Wishing to witness a scene as interesting as the chase usually proves to
be, he decided to remain.

Fifteen persons, five of whom were ladies, were on the ground at the
appointed hour. Miss G. was, of course, one of the party. In vain Jerome
endeavored to excuse himself from joining in the chase. His plea of
ill-health was only met by smiles from the young ladies, and the reply
that a ride would effect a cure.

Dressed in a scarlet coat and high boots, with the low, round cap worn
in the chase, Jerome mounted a high-spirited horse, whip in hand, and
made himself one of the party. In America, riding is a necessity; in
England, it is a pleasure. Young men and women attend riding-school in
our fatherland, and consider that they are studying a science. Jerome
was no rider. He had not been on horseback for more than ten years, and
as soon as he mounted, every one saw that he was a novice, and a smile
was on the countenance of each member of the company.

The blowing of the horn, and assembling of the hounds, and finally the
release of the fox from his close prison, were the signals for the chase
to commence. The first half-mile the little animal took his course over
a beautiful field where there was neither hedge nor ditch. Thus far the
chase was enjoyed by all, even by the American rider, who was better
fitted to witness the scene than to take part in it.

We left Jerome in our last reluctantly engaged in the chase; and though
the first mile or so of the pursuit, which was over smooth meadow-land,
had had an exhilarating effect upon his mind, and tended somewhat
to relieve him of the embarrassment consequent upon his position,
he nevertheless still felt that he was far from being in his proper
element. Besides, the fox had now made for a dense forest which lay
before, and he saw difficulties in that direction which to him appeared
insurmountable.

Away went the huntsmen, over stone walls, high fences, and deep ditches.
Jerome saw the ladies even leading the gentlemen, but