128 HAUNTS AND HOBBIES 



entirely disappeared ; and soon after the early mornings 

 became perceptibly cooler, and the coolness was of that 

 fresh, invigorating kind, quite free from damp, and 

 which is not caused by wind. 



The earliest of these mornings I find noted in my 

 diary was that of the 2nd of September. The same 

 day was also signalized by the discovery of a new 

 insect, not exactly an insect, but the chrysalis in which 

 some insect was enclosed. The servants had found it 

 in the garden, and, struck by its beauty, had brought 

 it in to me for inspection. It was unusually large, and 

 certainly, as far as colour went, it was a most beautiful 

 object. Its surface resembled that of silver tissue, and 

 had all the same lovely iridescent tints. I had it care- 

 fully placed on the mantel-piece in the drawing-room, 

 and I visited it constantly, in the hope that I might 

 be present when the insect within should make its 

 appearance. My desire was gratified, and sooner than 

 I had expected, for the event occurred on the second 

 afternoon. I had returned from the office, and gone 

 at once to the mantel-piece. The surface of the 

 chrysalis appeared to be undulating, as if there was 

 some movement going on within. As I looked the 

 movement increased. Presently the chrysalis cracked, 

 and split open from end to end, and with much effort 

 and many painful struggles a butterfly dragged itself 

 out. To my regret, as the chrysalis cracked its beauty 

 vanished. From a silky tissue, glowing with colour, it 

 changed to a dull white, dingy-looking film. 



I am sorry to say that my diary contains no descrip- 

 tion of the butterfly that emerged. To the best of my 



