MY FIRST AND LAST STEEPLE-CHASE 153 



and had walked round to the lee of the house, to 

 blow a cloud in peace, and think over what was 

 best to be done, when a window opened above, and 

 looking up, I saw a bright sunny face framed 

 against the dark scowling sky, and heard a voice 

 call out, " Wait there one moment, Frank ; I am 

 coming down." 



Without giving me time to reply, the face dis- 

 appeared, but immediately afterwards a small slight 

 figure, closely muffled up, glided round the corner, 

 and put its arm in mine, while a pair of blue eyes 

 looked up appealingly in my face. 



" Don't look so down-hearted, Frank, or you will 

 make me cry. I could hardly keep from it, when 

 I saw the tent in ruins, and heard that dreadful 



crash. All Lady 's old china, I promised to 



take such care of, and the flowers, and Mrs 's 



dinner service, that has been in the family for 

 four generations. It is a downright calamity ; but 

 we are determined, happen what will, to have the 

 ball, and I want you to come to look at a barn we 

 saw the other day." 



" But you cannot think of going out in such 

 weather ! " 



" Not by the road — the sea is all across it. But 

 we can go by the fields. Come now, and take great 

 care of me." 



