e ten miles to see this wonderful
performer."

"Oh, I should so like to go!" cried Julia, when she had glanced through
the bill.

"You, my child!" exclaimed her father in astonishment.

"Oh yes, father. Why not?"

"I should have thought," said her aunt, "that you--"

But here her niece interrupted her. "O auntie, there can be no possible
harm. No one will notice us; there will be thousands of people, and we
shall be lost in the crowd. People are never so thoroughly alone as
when they are in the middle of a great crowd."

"And who is to go with you?" asked Mr Huntingdon.

"Oh, of course I don't expect dear sober old Amos to go, he is quite
above such things; but Walter might take me,--wouldn't you, dear
Walter?--Now, may I go, dear father, if Walter takes me? It will be
such fun cantering there and back this delightful summer weather." She
looked at Walter beseechingly, and her father hem'd and ha'd, not quite
knowing what to say. "It's settled," she cried, clapping her hands.
"Now, Walter, you can't say no."

"When is it to come off?" asked the squire.

"Next Wednesday," she replied. "Please don't trouble about it," she
added; "it will be all right. I will be as grave as a duenna; and when
I come back Amos shall read me an essay on prudence, and I will listen
to every word and be so good."

No further opposition was attempted, and Walter considered himself bound
to escort his sister.

On the following Wednesday, after luncheon, Walter and Julia set off for
the place of amusement in high spirits. Julia was looking specially
bright and attractive; and Walter, though he did not feel fully
satisfied in going, yet threw himself now into the excitement with all
his might, partly for his sister's sake, and partly to drown any murmurs
of conscience which he was not prepared to listen to. So with a merry
ringing laugh they set off, and arrived at the park on the best terms
with themselves and with each other. Large numbers of people had
already assembled, and the place was glowing with banners and glittering
devices, and resounding with the vigorous music of a brass band. Signor
Telitetti was to be the special attraction, but there were many other
objects of interest and excitement forming part of the entertainment.
Among these were a small theatre, and a tent in which were various
enticing-looking articles to be raffled for. The noble park, with its
groups of trees of different species, its sloping s