othing; Roger called out to him that they could not
wait all day, and he exerted himself to take Beatrice by the arm, and
say, "Bee, I wish you would not, I am sure there will be a blow up about
it at home."

"O, you think nobody can or may drive me but yourself, Master Alex,"
said Beatrice, laughing. "No, no, I know very well that nobody will care
when it is done, and there are no commands one way or the other. I love
my own neck, I assure you, Alex, and will not get that into a scrape.
Come, if that will put you into a better humour, I'll dance with you
first to-night." Alex turned away, muttering, "I don't like it--I'd go
myself, but--Well, I shall speak to Fred."

Beatrice smiled with triumph at the jealousy which she thought she had
excited, and watched to see the effect of the remonstrance.

"You are sure now," said he, "that you can drive safely? Remember it
would be a tolerable piece of work if you were to damage that little
Bee."

This eloquent expostulation might have had some weight, if it had come
from any one else; but Fred was too much annoyed at the superiority of
his rival to listen with any patience, and he replied rather sullenly,
that he could take as good care of her as Alex himself, and he only
wished that their own horses were come from Rocksand.

"Well, I have no more to say," said Alex, "only please to mind this,
Langford junior, you may do just as you please with our horse, drive him
to Jericho for what I care. It was for your own sake and Beatrice's that
I spoke."

"Much obliged, Langford senior," replied Fred, making himself as tall as
he could, and turning round to Carey with a very different tone, "Now,
Carey, we won't stop you any longer, if you'll only just be so good as
to tell your man to get out the gig."

Carey did so, and Beatrice and Frederick were left alone, but not long,
for Uncle Roger presently came into the yard with Willy and Arthur
running after him. To take possession of his horse and carriage, in
his very sight, without permission, was quite impossible, and, besides,
Beatrice knew full well that her dexterity could obtain a sanction from
him which might be made to parry all blame. So tripping up to him, she
explained in a droll manner the distress in which the charade actors
stood, and how the boys had said that they might have Dumple to drive
to Allonfield. Good natured Uncle Roger, who did not see why Fred should
not drive as well as Alex or any of his other boys,