u had not come here, Maythorne;" Mrs. Arundel said, "you gave
me no warning of your intention."

"My dear Bella, I never give any warning about anything. I thought you
knew that. I suppose I have as much right to look at a bull-baiting as
his lordship. Evidently he is not going to offer me hospitality. What a
party of old fogies he has assembled; no one worth looking at!
By-the-bye, does not Gilbert's innamorata live near Wells?"

Mrs. Arundel evaded a reply by turning to Gratian, who had speedily got
ready for the expedition.

"I fear it is very imprudent, Gratian, to go out in the crowd. Mr.
Dacres thinks so."

"Well, if under good care, I do not know that there is much fear," said
Mr. Dacres, "in fact; I will accompany Miss Anson, if she will allow me,
and just point out the best place to see the bull pass down under the
Chain Gate from East Wells."

"Ah! I _thought_ you would not be able to resist it, Mr. Dacres,"
Gratian said. "I _knew_ you wanted to see the fun, though you were
afraid to say so."

"Really," began poor Mr. Dacres; "really, I--I am only desirous of being
of service."

"Of course, I know that," Gratian said, laughing. "Good-bye, Aunt
Bella;" and away she tripped, Lord Maythorne following, and Mr. Dacres
leading the way under Penniless Porch to the Cathedral-green, where all
kinds of people were congregated by the wall, separating the green from
the road along which the bull was to pass. The rabble were at this time
collected in East Wells, and the more respectable part of the spectators
were admitted here. The bell was chiming for service, and as Mr. Dacres
ambled across the grass, the Dean, preceded by his verger, was coming
out of his gate to the cathedral. Unlike his predecessor, Dean Lukin,
who is reported to have made the bull-baiting a festal occasion at the
Deanery, even inviting guests to be present at it, the Dean demurred a
little at the bull passing under the Chain Gate at all, thus entering
the precincts of the cathedral.

[Illustration: The Deanery Wells.]

"How do, Dacres, how do?" the Dean said; "the crowd is very orderly at
present."

"Yes, Mr. Dean, so far; the great proportion of people are in East
Wells. This young lady is a guest at the palace, and would like to see
the bull pass. Might I escort her and Lord--Lord Hawthorne to the
terrace?"

The Dean bowed rather stiffly. He would have thought better both of the
young lady and her companion, if they had come to the