suddenly, in that half-starved, broken-down, and miserable creature whom we met to-day, I recognise my own high-couraged, lovely pet. Nep, I stop to bind up that broken heart; I speak kind words to soothe that weary spirit; I kiss that poor old shaggy brow, and angry feelings spring up in your heart, Nep. You, who are petted all day long, grudge that one passing caress. You, who are my companion at all hours and times, are indignant because a few moments are given to one who loved me as truly as yourself, and was, equally with yourself, my true and faithful friend. Nep, I ask you if such conduct is worthy of you? Put yourself in Fairy's place, and ask yourself what you would have thought of me if I had passed you by unrecognised, because I had found a younger and more handsome favourite?'

Self-convicted and self-condemned, I tried to show my penitence by gently licking the hand that rested on her knee beside me. I think she understood me, for, rising from her seat, she said in her old kind way

'Now, Nep, we will the wiser, if the sadder,

go

home; both, perhaps, for this day's walk.'

CHAPTER VI.

HANKS to the kind and judicious manner in which my dear mistress had handled me, that chance meeting with poor Fairy became the means of producing a real improvement in my disposition. The more I thought of the wretched passion to which I had been giving way, the more mean and guilty my conduct appeared to me. I determined to watch carefully against the first risings of jealousy in my heart, and if possible to rid myself altogether of such a misery-creating companion.

It was well for me that I learned my lesson in time; the sincerity of my good resolutions was soon to be put to the test.

Not far from our own house lived a very intimate friend of my mistress, a friend of whom I indeed thought she was a great deal too fond,

—not, this time, from my jealous dislike of the friendship, but that when my mistress paid a visit to Ivy Lodge, it was quite impossible to say when she would come away again; and as Mrs. Lindsay was very particular that no portion of her well-kept furniture should be soiled, a dog who, like myself, was addicted to jumping, and bathing, and rolling, was not often considered to be a suitable visitor: consequently, whilst my mistress was chatting with her friend in the drawing-room, I was left to while away the time as best I might at the garden gate; and very dull I used to find it. For what was there for me to do except to snap occasionally at a passing fly, to make casual acquaintance with any chance dog that might pass that way, or to watch Mrs. Lindsay's fat and petted cat, which for the most part was lying lazily rolled up and sleeping in the sunshine? For a dog accustomed as I was to the intellectual conversation of such a companion as my mistress, it will be readily conceded that these were not exciting occupations; and it must be confessed that when I found we were to take Ivy Lodge in our day's walk, I generally showed my dissatisfaction in terms which could not be mistaken.

It was some few weeks after our meeting

with Fairy, that one day when, to my disgust, we turned up the well-known road which led to Ivy Lodge,

Nep,' said my mistress, 'I have got something to say to you.'

'Bow-wow-wow,' said I, which meant, 'Say on.'

'You will not be left waiting alone at the gate to-day.'

'That is good hearing,' thought I, and I wagged my tail as a sign of approbation.

I am not quite sure you will like your companion,' continued my mistress, 'and that is why I want to speak to you about him before you see him. Nep, do you remember what I said to you about Fairy?'

Yes,' said I, after my fashion, but I barked out the words very gently, for it was not a pleasant subject of recollection.

Well, then, you must bear it in mind when you are playing with Conrad. He is to be pitted against you, Nep, of that I am quite sure, and his master will say that he is a handsomer, braver, cleverer, better dog than my dear old Nep. But handsome is as handsome does, Nep, and if you are a dear good dog, and do not take offence, and do not snarl, and do not fight, why, I shall know who is the best dog,

shall I not, Nep?

And if

you

know you

have got right on your side, why, you can bear to be put upon, cannot you, Nep?'

'Bow-wow-wow,' said I in acknowledgment that come what might, I would at least try to do my duty.

'There is my dear old dog,' said my mistress; 'I was sure you would understand me.'

At this moment a turn in the road brought us within sight of the cottage. At the gate a tall handsome man was standing smoking a cigar, and by his side sat a large, powerful, heavy-limbed dog, with a tight curling coat of black and white hair. I dare say he was very handsome, but I own I liked my own shiny black coat much better. But then, after all, what is beauty? it is but a matter of opinion.

'I am safe from jealousy on that point at any rate,' thought I.

As soon as Mr. Lindsay saw us, he took his cigar from his mouth, and, accompanied by his dog, he came forward to meet my mistress.

'Nep!'' Conrad !' said our respective owners, as soon as their own first greeting was over.

We looked at each other, and then we made acquaintance after the manner of dogs, I trying to throw what cordiality I could into my greeting, whilst Conrad, though perfectly polite,