worn out. In the mean time I was moved to express some of my reflections.
"'T is possible—nay, probable—that this is a bootless quest," said I dejectedly. "What shadow of an assurance have I that Lady Mary will walk in the garden on this particular morning? This whole thing is absolute folly."
"At any rate," said the Doctor, "now that you already have walked this great distance, it will be little additional trouble to climb a tree."
He had encouraged me to my work at exactly the proper moment.
"You are right," said I, taking him warmly by the hand, "I will climb the tree in any case."
As the hour approached we began to cast about for the proper oak. I am sure they were all the same to me, but Doctor Chord was very particular.
"'T is logical to contend," said he, "that the question of the girth of the tree will enter importantly into our devices. For example, if a tree be so huge that your hands may not meet on the far side of it, a successful ascension will be impossible. On the other hand, a very slim tree is like to bend beneath your weight, and even precipitate you heavily to the ground, which disaster might retard events for an indefinite period."
"Science your science, then," said I. "And tell me what manner of tree best suits the purpose of a true lover."
"A tree," said the Doctor, "is a large vegetable arising with one woody stem to a considerable height. As to the appearance and quality of a tree, there are many diversifications, and this fact in itself consti-
