"What has he been doing?" said Mr. Abel, tying a
shawl round his neck as he came down the steps.

"He's enough to fret a man's heart out," replied the
hostler. "He is the most wicious rascal--Woa then, will
you?"

"He'll never stand still, if you call him names," said
Mr. Abel, getting in, and taking the reins. "He's a very
good fellow if you know how to manage him. This is the
first time he has been out, this long while, for he has lost
his old driver and wouldn't stir for anybody else, till this
morning. The lamps are right, are they? That's well.
Be here to take him to-morrow, if you please. Good
night!"

And after one or two strange plunges, quite of his own
invention, the pony yielded to Mr. Abel's mildness, and
trotted gently off.

All this time Mr. Chuckster had been standing at the
door, and the small servant had been afraid to approach.
She had nothing for it now, therefore, but to run after the
chaise, and to call to Mr. Abel to stop. Being out of
breath when she came up with it, she was unable to make
him hear. The case was desperate; for the pony was
quickening his pace. The Marchioness hung on behind for
a few moments, and, feeling that she could go no farther,
and must soon yield, clambered by a vigorous effort into
the hinder seat, and in so doing lost one of the shoes for
ever.

Mr. Abel being in a thoughtful frame of mind, and
having quite enough to do to keep the pony going, went
jogging on without looking round: little dreaming of the
strange figure that was close behind him, until the Mar-
chioness, having in some degree recovered her breath, and
the loss of her shoe, and the novelty of her position, uttered
close into his ear, the words--

"I say, sir"--

He turned his head quickly enough then, and stopping
the pony, cried, with some trepidation, "God bless me,
what is this!"

"Don't be frightened, sir," replied the still panting mes-
senger. "Oh, I've run such a way after you!"

"What do you want with me?" said Mr. Abel. "How
did you come here?"

"I got in behind," replied the Marchioness. "Oh
please drive on, sir--don't stop--and go towards the City,

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