"I never knew her mother permit her to be out so late -although Beau is such a sensible little dog that he guides her everywhere. I think, Miss Eltham," continued Mary, "I will ask one of the servants to go to that end of the village and see her home: I cannot imagine why she is out by herself.” At that moment a bird-a wild duck, or a water-hen-rose from the sedges and long tangled plants that grew in such luxuriant beauty beneath the banks which divided the bridges, and flew screaming over the river. Poor little Beau forgot his mistress, and sprang forward, barking at the fugitive; he sprang rapidly and thoughtlessly, and so suddenly it all occurred, that he was struggling over the planks, supported by the slight ribbon, before, even if Alice had had sight, she could have drawn him back. "Let him go, Alice! let him go!" shouted Miss Eltham and Mary Browne together: "let him go, or you will be over yourself!" But Alice loved the little animal, who had been her guide for more than eight years-she valued her poor dumb friend too highly to "let him go:" she knelt at the side, and pulled the ribbon carefully. "She has him now!" exclaimed Harry : "what a brave girl!" 66 No, no-he has slipped again; poor fellow, how he struggles!" said Sophy. "Let him go!" repeated Mary Browne, and her voice was a scream. "I knew it," she added, while the young ladies were rendered dumb by the occurrence- I knew how it would be-she is over herself!" In speechless agony, Miss Eltham saw poor Alice rise to the surface of the water after her first plunge; Sophy and Fanny hid their faces in their dress; and |