EARLSHALL The next morning after breakfast, Joe put Merrylegs into the mistress' low chaise to take him to the vicarage; he came first and said good-bye to us, and Merrylegs neighed to us from the yard.

Then John put the saddle on Ginger and the leading rein on me, and rode us across the country to Earlshall Park, where the Earl of W---- lived.

There was a very fine house and a great deal of stabling.

We went into the yard through a stone gateway, and John asked for Mr.York.It was some time before he came.

He was a fine-looking, middle-aged man, and his voice said at once that he expected to be obeyed.