He wanted to take Dora at once to the menagerie, but I represented
the inexpedience of their taking her about with them to the horse-
fair afterwards, and made Eustace perceive that it would not do for
Miss Alison; and as Harold backed my authority, she did not look like
thunder for more than ten minutes when she found we were to drive to
Neme Heath, and that she was to go home with me after seeing the
animals. Eustace was uncertain about his dignity, and hesitated
about not caring and not intending, and not liking me to go alone,
but made up his mind that since he had to be at the fair, he would
drive us.

So we had out the barouche, and Eustace held the reins with infinite
elation, while Harold endured the interior to reconcile Dora to it,
and was as much diverted as she was at the humours of the scene,
exclaiming at every stall of gilt gingerbread, every see-saw, and
merry-go-round, that lined the suburbs of Mycening, and I strongly
suspect meditating a private expedition to partake of their delights.
Harold was thoroughly the great child nature meant him for, while
poor Eustace sat aloft enfolded in his dignity, not daring to look
right or left, or utter a word of surprise, lest he should compromise
himself in the eyes of the coachman by his side.

The fair was upon the heath, out to which the new part of the town
was stretching itself, and long streets of white booths extended
themselves in their regular order. We drove on noiselessly over the
much-trodden turf, until we were checked by the backward rush of a
frightened crowd, and breathless voices called out to Eustace, "Stop,
sir; turn, for Heaven's sake. The lion! He's loose!"

Turning was impossible, for the crowd was rushing back on us,