ances. Besides, I was not a little put out
over the senseless piece of gossip which had gone abroad concerning me.

It had been arranged as part of the day's programme that Mr. Cooke was
to drive those who wished to go over the Rise in his new brake. But the
table was not graced by our host's presence, Mrs. Cooke apologizing for
him, explaining that he had disappeared quite mysteriously. It turned
out that he and the judge had been served with luncheon in the Ethiopian
card-room, and neither threats nor fair words could draw him away.
The judge had not held such cards for years, and it was in vain that
I talked to him of consequences. The Ten decided to remain and watch a
game which was pronounced little short of phenomenal, and my client gave
orders for the smaller brake and requested the Celebrity to drive.
And this he was nothing loth to do. For the edification as well as the
assurance of the party Mr. Allen explained, while we were waiting under
the porte cochere, how he had driven the Windsor coach down Piccadilly
at the height of the season, with a certain member of Parliament and
noted whip on the box seat.

And, to do him justice, he could drive. He won the instant respect of
Mr. Cooke's coachman by his manner of taking up the lines, and clinched
it when he dropped a careless remark concerning the off wheeler. And
after the critical inspection of the horses which is proper he climbed
up on the box. There was much hesitation among the ladies as to who
should take the seat of honor: Mrs. Cooke declining, it was pressed upon
Miss Thorn. But she, somewhat to my surprise, declined also, and it was
finally filled by a young woman from Asquith.

As we drove off I found myself alone with Mrs. Cooke's niece on the seat
behind.

The day was cool and snappy for August, and the Rise all green with a
lavish nature. Now we, plunged into a deep shade with the boughs lacing
each other overhead, and crossed dainty, rustic bridges over the cold
trout-streams, the boards giving back the clatter of our horses' feet:
or anon we shot into a clearing, with a colored glimpse of the lake and
its curving shore far below us. I had always loved that piece of country
since the first look I had of it from the Asquith road, and the sight
of it rarely failed to set my blood a-tingle with pleasure. But to-day
I scarcely saw it. I wondered what whim had impelled Miss Thorn to get
into this seat. She paid but little attention to me during the