FROM THE " SPECTA TOR." 229 



change the plates, and as soon as he heard 

 her step, he slunk once more under the 

 table ; but in an instant, ere she had time to 

 open the door, he came out again, as if he 

 had suddenly taken another thought, and 

 threw himself down on the rug before the 

 fire to all appearance fast asleep. " Ah, 

 Keeper ; you there, you rascal ! " exclaimed 

 his mistress, in indignant surprise, as she 

 caught sight of him. The dog opened his 

 eyes, half raised his body, stretched himself 

 out lazily at full length, gave a great yawn 

 as if awakened from a good long sleep, and 

 then, with a wag of his tail, went forward 

 and tried to lick her hand. It was a capital 

 piece of acting, and the air of perfect guile- 

 lessness was infinitely amusing. 



GEO. Me HARDY. 



