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The weather, which had been damp and misty, with frequent downpours of rain, i week, and, as often happens in January, there were several days with the sun shining, no wind and light frosts at night, these frosts beco an to think of snow

With this spell of fine weather it was but natural that Mr Tebrick should think of taking his vixen out of doors This was so he had not yet done, both because of the damp rainy weather up till then and because theher out filled him with alarm Indeed he had so many apprehensions beforehand that at one tiainst it For his ht escape froroundless, but with ins, spring guns, besides a dread of being seen with her by the neighbourhood

At last however he resolved on it, and all the ht she not go out into the garden?" Yet she always listened very submissively when he told her that he was afraid if they were seen together it would excite the curiosity of their neighbours; besides this, he often told her of his fears for her on account of dogs But one day she answered this by leading hiun After this he resolved to take her, though with full precautions That is he left the house door open so that in case of need she could beat a swift retreat, then he took his gun under his arm, and lastly he had her rapped up in a little fur jacket lest she should take cold

He would have carried her too, but that she delicately disengaged herself from his aro by herself For already her first horror of being seen to go upon all fours orn off; reasoning no doubt upon it, that either she o that way or else stay bed-ridden all the rest of her life

Her joy at going into the garden was inexpressible First she ran this way, then that, though keeping always close to hi very sharply with ears cocked forward first at one thing, then another and then up to catch his eye

For so round hi beside hiarden But in spite of her joy she was full of fear At every noise, a coing, a cock crowing, or a plough to scare the rooks, she started, her ears pricked to catch the sound, her muzzle wrinkled up and her nose twitched, and she would then press herself against his legs They walked round the garden and down to the pond where there were orna these again gave her great pleasure They had always been her favourites, and now she was so overjoyed to see them that she behaved with very little of her usual self-restraint First she stared at theht to kindle an equal excitement in his mind Whilst she rested her paws on his knee she turned her head again and again towards the ducks as though she could not take her eyes off thee