usan was delighted with the handsome exterior and
winning manners of the lad, whose boyish days had often been the theme
of her husband's conversation.

If the reader will take the trouble to reckon with his fingers, he will
find that William Seymour is now sixteen years old. If he will not, he
must take my word for it; and it may also be as well to inform him that
Miss Rainscourt is more than fourteen. I am the more particular in
mentioning these chronological facts, because in the next chapter I
intend to introduce the parties to each other.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

A strong bull stands, threat'ning furious war:
He flourishes his horns, looks sourly round,
And, hoarsely bellowing, traverses his ground.
BLACKMORE.

It was on the second day after the arrival of Seymour, that Emily, who
was not aware of the addition to the party at the cottage, proceeded on
foot through the park and field adjacent, to pay Susan a visit. She was
attended by a man-servant in livery, who carried some books, which Mrs
McElvina had expressed a desire to read. When Emily had arrived at the
last field, which was rented by a farmer hard by, she was surprised to
perceive that it was occupied by an unpleasant tenant, to wit, a large
bull; who, on their approach, commenced pawing the ground, and showing
every symptom of hostility. She quickened her pace, and as the animal
approached, found that she had gained much nearer to the stile before
her than to the one which she had just passed over, and frightened as
she was, she determined to proceed. The servant who accompanied her
manifested more fear than she did. As the bull approached, Emily, who
had heard what precautions should be taken in a similar exigence, turned
her face towards the animal, and walked backwards to the stile. The
domestic seemed determined to preserve the exact station which his duty
and respect required, and kept himself behind his young mistress. As,
however, the bull advanced, and seemed inclined to charge upon them, his
fears would not permit him to remain in that situation, and throwing
down the books, he took to his heels, and ran for a gap in the hedge.
By this manoeuvre, Emily was left to make any arrangements she pleased
with the infuriated animal.

But the bull had no quarrel with a lady, dressed in a white muslin
frock; he had taken offence at the red plush inexpressibles, which were
a part of the family livery, and immediately ran at the serv