"I will ride over this morning," said Mr. Gage, "I have nothing else to do." "He was so sick on the passage, that they did not think he would have lived." said Mr. Humphries, turning to Margaret. "He's better now." "Poor creature! I didn't know horses were ever sea-sick," said Margaret. "They are wonderful animals," said Harriet, "I wish somebody would write a novel about a horse." "You used to be so fond of horses," said Mr. Singleton. "So I am, comparatively," said Harriet, glancing around at the gentlemen present. Margaret had often a hard matter to preserve her gravity, but now she was vexed with Harriet, who had employed herself ever since she came down stairs in petting Mr. Humphries, on purpose to pique Mr. Gage. She offered him cream and sugar; she gave him advice about his diet; showed him the best way to eat a smelt; fussed about his toast; and took more trouble to make him comfortable, than she had ever done with anybody before. Mr. Singleton, from his partiality to Mr. Humphries, took it all in good part; but Mr. Gage looked very cloudy. He rose as soon as possible and left the table, and walked up and down the room, keeping his eyes fixed upon Mr. Humphries and Harriet. Harriet rose and looked about among the dishes. "You can tell me, Mr. Humphries," she said, "what is the best thing I can give my terrier. He only eats twice a day, and I never let him touch raw meat." "Oh! I don't know--I--it does not matter what you give him," said Mr. Humphries. "A slice of this cold beef then," said Harriet, "will you cut it for me?" Mr. Humphries complied; nearly cut his own hand, as might have been expected, but succeeded in getting off a slice. "A little bit more," said Harriet, looking coaxingly at him. "Oh! upon my word, that is plenty!" said Mr. Humphries. "No, just one little bit," said Harriet stretching out the plate. Mr. Humphries laughed awkwardly and cut it. "You will spoil your dog, you know," he said. During this little bit of coquetry, on her part, Mr. Gage had been increasing in rage, but she passed close to him without seeming to be aware of his presence, and left the room. Her dog was fastened up in a small summer-room that looked into the garden, because it had a fancy for quarrelling with one of Mr. Humphries' spaniels that he had brought with him. Harriet unfastened the little sinner, and it bounded up and down like a ball. She put the plate on a ledge under the window, and began to cut the meat into small pieces. While she was thus employed, Mr. Gage came abruptly into the room, and stood before her. "Take care of the dog," said Harriet, stooping down, and catching Donald by the collar; "he is apt to snap at strangers." "Strangers!" exclaimed Mr. Gage, in great indignation. "This from you, Harriet! But you have deceived me--made me wretched long enough. It is well that all is at an end!"