in a much more flourishing state
since New Year's day, he proceeded to delight the very heart of Willy
by a present of a pair of little brass cannon, on which his longing eyes
had often before been fixed, and they then returned to the carriage, in
some dismay on perceiving that it was nearly one o'clock.

"We must go straight home," said Beatrice, "or this velvet will be of no
use. There is no time to drive to Sutton Leigh and walk from thence."

Unfortunately, however, there was an influential personage who was by no
means willing to consent to this arrangement, namely, Dumple, who,
well aware that an inexperienced hand held the reins, was privately
determined that his nose should not be turned away from the shortest
road to his own stable.

As soon, therefore, as he came to the turning towards Sutton Leigh, he
made a decided dash in that direction. Fred pulled him sharply, and a
little nervously; the horse resisted; Fred gave him a cut with the
whip, but Dumple felt that he had the advantage, and replying with a
demonstration of kicking, suddenly whisked round the corner, and set
off over the rough jolting road at a pace very like running away. Fred
pulled hard, but the horse went the faster. He stood up. "Sit still,"
cried Beatrice, now speaking for the first time, "the gate will stop
him;" but ere the words were uttered, Frederick, whether by a movement
of his own, or the rapid motion of the carriage, she knew not, was
thrown violently to the ground; and as she was whirled on, she saw him
no more. Instinct, rather than presence of mind, made her hold fast to
the carriage with one hand, and throw the other arm round little Willy,
to prevent him from being thrown out, as they were shaken from side to
side by the ruts and stones over which they were jolted. A few minutes
more, and their way was barred by a gate--that which she had spoken
of--the horse, used to stopping there, slackened his pace, and stood
still, looking over it as if nothing had happened.

Trembling in every limb, Beatrice stood safely on the ground, and Willy
beside her. Without speaking, she hurried back to seek for Fred, her
steps swifter than they had ever before been, though to herself it
seemed as if her feet were of lead, and the very throbbing of her heart
dragged her back. In every bush she fancied she saw Fred coming to meet
her, but it was only for a moment, and at length she saw him but
too plainly. He was stretched at full length on th