60 KEW GARDENS 



of the two Doctor Willises loudly exhorting him not to 

 heat himself so unmercifully. 



Heavens, how I ran! I do not think I should have 

 felt the hot lava from Vesuvius at least not the hot 

 cinders had I so run during its eruption. My feet 

 were not sensible that they even touched the ground. 



Soon after, I heard other voices, shriller, though less 

 nervous, call out " Stop ! stop ! stop ! " 



I could by no means consent ; I knew not what was 

 purposed, but I recollected fully my agreement with 

 Dr. John that very morning, that I should decamp if 

 surprised, and not be named. 



My own fears and repugnance, also, after a flight and 

 disobedience like this, were doubled in the thought of 

 not escaping. I knew not to what I might be exposed, 

 should the malady be then high, and take the turn of 

 resentment. Still, therefore, on I flew ; and such was 

 my speed, so almost incredible to relate or recollect, 

 that I fairly believe no one of the whole party could 

 have overtaken me, if these words from one of the 

 attendants had not reached me, "Doctor Willis begs 

 you to stop ! " 



" I cannot ! I cannot ! " I answered, still flying on, 

 when he called out, " You must, ma^am ; it hurts the 

 King to run. 11 



Then, indeed, I stopped in a state of fear really 

 amounting to agony. I turned round, I saw the two 

 doctors had got the King between them, and three 

 attendants of Dr. Willis's were hovering about. They 

 all slackened their pace, as they saw me stand still ; but 

 such was the excess of my alarm, that I was wholly 

 insensible to the effects of a race which, at any other 

 time, would have required an hour's recruit. 



As they approached, some little presence of mind 



