sprang forward, gave the huge animal a kick with all my might, in a spot which must have materially improved the tenderness of the ham--and took the almost fainting child in my arms. The sleeper started up, and was no little astonished to behold the feat I performed. I muttered a few confused words, and tried in vain to still the terrors of my young charge; but in a few minutes our united efforts had the desired effect, and the elder sister thanked me for my chivalrous interference, and said she would never forget my kindness. "It's nothing at all," I said--"I almost wish it had been a bonassus, and I had had a rifle." "Oh! a pig, I assure you, is quite enough for us: isn't it, Amy?" Amy seemed to consider a pig a great deal too much, and looked round in alarm every time she heard a rustle among the branches. "It would have enabled me," I said, "to be really useful--like the master of Ravenswood, I added, when he shot the wild bull." "But you wouldn't surely wish to see Amy and me in real danger, merely to have the glory of delivering us from it. That would be too selfish." "Not selfish if I was certain of saving you; and, besides, it would be such an excellent introduction." "But we have already told you, that we are as much indebted for your interference as if you had put a whole herd of furious cattle to death. For my part, I am perfectly satisfied with the introduction as it is." "Then we may consider ourselves friends?" I enquired, gradually becoming less embarrassed by the manner of the unknown. "Certainly--I tell you we shall never forget your gallant interference. It is strange we never met with such an adventure before; for Amy and I come very often here." "Indeed?--It is certainly very strange that I have never seen you before; for _I_ am here almost every day." "Why, if you keep your eyes constantly on the ground, you have no great chance of seeing any thing but the grass. We have seen you often." "And you know my name, of course?" "Henry Rayleigh, of Rayleigh Court. Oh! we know all about you." "And I--I am ashamed to say, I have not the same advantage with regard to your style and title--I feel sure it must be a beautiful name." "You had better guess." "Flora? Edith? Rebecca?" "We must go home now," said the little one. "Isabella? Brenda? Minna?" "No--you will never find it out." "Then you will surely tell me." "Oh no!--that would spoil the romance of our acquaintance." "And am I never to find out who you are?" "Probably not, if you bury yourself in the woods all your life. I have been your neighbour for half a year, and you have never seen me." "My eyes must have been blinded; but I will bury myself no more. Do tell me your name, and where you live, for I am very ill qualified to be a discoverer." "I shall certainly not destroy the charm of mystery. Let it be enough that you know me by sight. The name is of no consequence--but if you really wish to know it"---- "I do indeed."