As they were about to enter Hyde Park through the imposing gate, Mrs. Pitt said:-- "When we stand here and gaze at this scene before us,--the crowd, beautiful park, fine hotels, houses, and shops,--it is hard to realize that this was a dangerous, remote district as recently as 1815. That was the time of many daring robberies, you know, when it was not safe walking, riding, or even traveling in a big coach, because of the highwaymen. Even so late as the year I just mentioned, this vicinity from Hyde Park to Kensington was patrolled, and people went about in companies so as to be comparatively secure." The remainder of that lovely afternoon was spent in Hyde Park, watching the riding and driving. Having paid the fee of threepence each for the use of their chairs, it was pleasant to sit and look on at the gay sight. Old gentlemen, stout ladies, young people, and small children, all ride, in England, and at certain times of the day, during "the season" (May and June), Hyde Park is always filled with a merry company. In midsummer it is rather more deserted, and yet the walks stretching between the flower-beds, and the Serpentine stream, are always flocking with people on summer Sundays or "bank holidays." And so passed the last days which John and Betty spent in London. All the favorite spots--Westminster Abbey, the Tower, Kensington Palace, and many others--had to be revisited, just as though the young people never thought to see them again; and then, at last came the day when the father and mother were expected. They all trooped to Euston Station to meet the train, and in triumph escorted the American friends back to Cavendish Square. There they remained for two short days and then carried the almost reluctant John and Betty away with them. Mrs. Pitt, Philip, and Barbara remained behind on the platform, waving a last good-by, and still hearing the many thanks and expressions of gratitude which John and Betty had repeatedly poured into their ears, in return for their delightful visit to England. THE END. INDEX Addison, Joseph, 136 Alfred the Great, 222, 227, 229 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 223, 227 Anne of Cleves, 255, 257 Anne, Queen, 70, 112, 114 Arden, Forest of, 158, 169, 202 "As You Like It," 157 Austen, Jane, 226 Bankside, 90 Bartholomew Close, 281 Bear-baiting, 90 Becket, St. Thomas a, 254, 264 Bell Inn, Edmonton, 118 "Big Ben," 107 Blackheath, 256 Black Prince, Edward the, 120, 263 Boleyn, Anne, 61, 103, 128, 136 "Bow Bells," 17, 118 Bunyan, John, 89 Bus-drivers, 16 Buses, 11 Cambridge, 91 Canterbury, 261 Cathedral, 262 Chequers of Hope Inn, 267 Cloisters of Cathedral, 265 Pilgrims, 90, 252, 267 Shrine of St. Thomas a Becket, 263 St. Martin's Church, 269 Tales, 253 Carlyle, Thomas, 124 Caroline, Queen, 129 Chalfont St. Giles, 105 Charing Cross, 67 Charlecote, 167 Park, 167 Charles I, 100, 102 Charles II, 114, 257