him in the most friendly manner, the dog meanwhile looking pleased, and
affably wagging his tail, just as if Mr. Gray had been a Hanbury. We
were all very much puzzled by this, and to this day I have not been able
to account for it.

But now let us go back to the terrace-door, and the footman sitting in
the antechamber.

One morning we heard a parleying, which rose to such a vehemence, and
lasted for so long, that my lady had to ring her hand-bell twice before
the footman heard it.

"What is the matter, John?" asked she, when he entered,

"A little boy, my lady, who says he comes from Mr. Horner, and must see
your ladyship. Impudent little lad!" (This last to himself.)

"What does he want?"

"That's just what I have asked him, my lady, but he won't tell me, please
your ladyship."

"It is, probably, some message from Mr. Horner," said Lady Ludlow, with
just a shade of annoyance in her manner; for it was against all etiquette
to send a message to her, and by such a messenger too!

"No! please your ladyship, I asked him if he had any message, and he said
no, he had none; but he must see your ladyship for all that."

"You had better show him in then, without more words," said her ladyship,