--and I believe it was at this very moment, and while Mrs. Dean and
Doctor Portman were engaged in conversation, that young Master Ridley
Roset, her son, pulled his mother by the back of her capacious dress and
said--

"I say, ma! look up there"--and he waggled his innocent head.

That was, indeed, a view from the Dean's garden such as seldom is seen by
Deans--or is written in Chapters. There was poor Pen performing a salute
upon the rosy fingers of his charmer, who received the embrace with
perfect calmness and good humour. Master Ridley looked up and grinned,
little Miss Rosa looked at her brother, and opened the mouth of
astonishment. Mrs. Dean's countenance defied expression, and as for Dr.
Portman, when he beheld the scene, and saw his prime favourite and dear
pupil Pen, he stood mute with rage and wonder.

Mrs. Haller spied the party below at the same moment, and gave a start
and a laugh. "Sure there's somebody in the Dean's garden," she cried out;
and withdrew with perfect calmness, whilst Pen darted away with his face
glowing like coals. The garden party had re-entered the house when he
ventured to look out again. The sickle moon was blazing bright in the
heavens then, the stars were glittering, the bell of the cathedral
tolling nine, the Dean's guests (all save one, who had called for his
horse Dumpling, and ridden off early) were partaking of tea and buttered
cakes in Mrs. Dean's drawing-room--when Pen took leave of Miss Costigan.

Pen arrived at home in due time afterwards, and was going to slip off to
bed, for the poor lad was greatly worn and agitated, and his high-strung
nerves had been at almost a maddening pitch when a summons came to him by
John the old footman, whose countenance bore a very ominous look, that