it would be quite impossible even to fancy that he could be mixed up with it.'

'This young lady has strong common-sense,' said the Squirradical.

'Oh, I don't think I'm at all a fool,' said Julia, with conviction.

'But what if neither of them come?' asked Gideon; 'what shall I do then?'

'Why then,' said she, 'you had better go down to the village after dark; and I can go with you, and then I am sure you could never be suspected; and even if you were, I could tell them it was altogether a mistake.'

'I will not permit that—I will not suffer Miss Hazeltine to go,' cried Mr. Bloomfield.

'Why?' asked Julia.

Mr. Bloomfield had not the least desire to tell her why, for it was simply a craven fear of being drawn himself into the imbroglio; but with the usual tactics of a man who is ashamed of himself, he took the high hand. 'God forbid, my dear Miss Hazeltine, that I should dictate to a lady on the question of propriety———' he began.

'Oh, is that all?' interrupted Julia. 'Then we must go all three.'

'Caught!' thought the Squirradical.