her real and imaginary adventures, when she returned.
The summer shone in full prime; and she took such a taste for this solitary rambling that she often contrived to remain out from breakfast till tea; and then the evenings were spent in recounting her fanciful tales. I did not fear her breaking bounds, because the gates were generally locked, and I thought she would scarcely venture forth alone, if they had stood wide open.
Unluckily, my confidence proved misplaced. Catherine came to me, one morning, at eight o'clock, and said she was that day an Arabian merchant, going to cross the Desert with his caravan; and I must give her plenty of provision for herself, and beasts, a horse, and three camels, personated by a large hound, and a couple of pointers.
I got together good store of dainties, and slung them in a basket on one side of the saddle; and she sprang up as gay as a fairy, shel-
