had taken him; but instead of waiting, as he was expected to wait,
stolidly, he had started off on a wild career, regardless of the safety of
the machine. At the first bound it had come in contact with a flower-vase,
which had been sent in many pieces over the sward; at the second it had met
with some stone coping; and at the third it had turned over in complete
dissolution, and Jack was free to tear up the turf with his hoofs, until
finally his erratic course was stopped by the small boy who was responsible
for the animal's behaviour. The arrival of Hubert and Emily saved the small
boy from many a cuff and the donkey from a kick or two; and Jack stood amid
the ruin he had created, as quiet and as docile a creature as the mind
could imagine.

'Oh, you--you wicked Jack! Who would have thought it of you?' said Emily,
throwing her arms round the animal's neck. 'And at your age, too! This is
my old donkey,' she said, turning her dreamy eyes on Hubert. 'I used to
ride him every day until about two years ago. I love my dear old Jack, and
would not have him beaten for worlds, although he is so wicked as to break
the mowing-machine. Look what you have done to the flower-vase.' The animal
shook its long ears.

Hubert and Emily strolled down a long walk, wondering what they should talk
about.

'These are really very pretty grounds,' he said at last. 'I am sure I shall
enjoy myself immensely here.' The remark appeared to him to be of doubtful
taste, and he hastened to add, 'That is to say, if I have completely made
it up with my pretty cousin.'

'But you have not seen the place yet,' she said, speaking still with a
certain tremor in her voice. 'You haven't even seen the gardens. Come, and