Having no excuse for lingering longer, I slipped out, while Linton was engaged in timidly rebuffing the advances of a friendly sheep-dog.

But he was too much on the alert to be cheated: as I closed the door, I heard a cry, and a frantic repetition of the words-- 'Don't leave me! I'll not stay here! I'll not stay here!' Then the latch was raised and fell: they did not suffer him to come forth.

I mounted Minny, and urged her to a trot; and so my brief guardianship ended..