ward, and a lake in
the centre well stocked with water-fowl of various kinds, gave ample
room and amusement to the motley multitude which had gathered for the
show.

Walter and his sister, having left their horses at a neighbouring
stable, paid their money at the gate, strolled into the park, and made
their way amongst the crowds bent like themselves on getting as large a
draught of excitement as the occasion would afford. As they came near
the tent, they encountered Gregson and Saunders arm in arm. The young
men took off their hats with an exaggerated show of politeness, and
Saunders said half out loud as they passed on, "Not going in just at
present for the raffle, I suppose." Walter coloured, but did not reply;
but he began to feel a hearty dislike to the whole thing, and would have
gladly beat a hasty retreat had he been alone. But now a more than
ordinarily vehement flourish of music warned the spectators that Signor
Telitetti was about to commence his athletic wonders. All crowded up to
the place of exhibition, which was a broad open space in the very midst
of the park, where a wooden structure had been erected, representing
some grand palace or temple in Eastern style, and being gorgeously and
profusely painted and gilded. In front of this were various smaller
wooden erections, set up for the purpose of exhibiting the powers of the
acrobat; while from the highest part of the sham palace a stout rope was
led along at a considerable height from the ground to a neighbouring
tree, from that tree to a second, and then down to the ground by a rapid
incline.

All eyes were on the signor as he took his stand in front of the wooden
building. Walter and his sister had pressed nearly to the edge of the
crowd, and gazed with the deepest interest on the performer, who was
habited in the tight-fitting garment usually worn by persons of his
calling, his head, however, being enveloped in a strangely made, many-
coloured cap, which very much concealed his features; indeed it looked
as if he were wearing a sort of mask, and that his eyes alone were
unhidden. Had Walter or his sister seen him anywhere before? Walter
was not sure, and yet he had an impression that there was something
about the man familiar to him, but perhaps it was only the general
similarity to others dressed for exhibitions of the like kind. He was
surprised, however, and startled to find his sister, as she leaned her
full weight on his arm, trembling