foot  of  the  hill  and  walked  up  through  the  shrubbery
with  the  young  gentleman  to  show  him  the  grounds."  On
this  news  Lucy  rose  hastily,  snatched  up  a  garden-hat,
and,  without  any  other  preparation,  went  out  to  intercept
her  uncle.  As  she  stepped  into  the  garden  she  heard  a
loud  scream  followed  by  angry  voices :  she  threw  her
hands  up  to  heaven  in  dismay,  and  ran  towards  the
sounds.  They  came  from  the  back  garden.  She  went
like  lightning  round  the  corner  of  the  house,  and  came
plump  upon  an  agitated  group,  of  whom  she  made  one
directly  spell-bound.  Here  stood  Aunt  Bazalgette,  her
head  turned  haughtily,  her  cheeks  scarlet.  There  stood
Mr.  Fountain  on  the  other  side  of  the  rustic  seat,  red  as
fire  too,  but  wearing  a  hang-dog  look :  and  behind  him
young  Arthur  pale,  with  two  eyes  like  saucers,  gazing
awe-struck  at  the  first  row  he  had  ever  seen  between  a
full-grown  lady  and  gentleman.
Our  narrative  must  take  a  step  to  the  rear,  as  an  excel-
lent writer.   Private  ,■'  phrases   it ;    otherwise  you

might  be  misled  to  suppose  that  Uncle  Tountain  was
quarrelling  with  Mrs.  B.  for  having  set  her  foot  in  sacred
Font  Abbey.
