There were festivities enough now and to spare. The whole place seemed

permeated by their happiness, and Derrick was wondering how long the

rollicking would last and when he should be able to take up the duties

which devolved upon him. One evening it chanced that he and Celia were

walking through the village, on their way from Lady Gridborough's,

engaged in earnest converse about those same duties; and, in the middle

of a sentence, Celia broke off, and, catching at his arm, exclaimed, "Derrick! Oh, Derrick, look!"

Derrick followed the direction of her eyes, and saw a huge tent with a

number of persons bustling about it. It was a circus tent; and,

moreover, it was Bloxford's Mammoth Circus itself. He stopped and

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stared; then he laughed.

"Why, it's old Bloxford!" he cried, brightly. "Celia, this is a piece of

luck. Think of his coming here--here, of all places! By George! how glad

I shall be to see him; and I've an idea he'll be glad to see me! We'll

go--no, not now"--stopping short--"I'll go to the show to-night."

"You'll take me, Derrick?" she said, eagerly. "I want to see him so

badly."

Restraining the desire to go there and then, they had an early dinner

and, on foot, made their way to the circus. The tent was crammed; the

performance had just begun; Derrick and Celia got seats in the best

part, and, exchanging glances of pleasure, they looked on. The whole

company was there in force; and when Isabel rode into the ring on her

black charger, Celia pressed Derrick's arm and whispered

enthusiastically, "What a splendid woman, Derrick! Oh, she's really grand! And how she

rides!"

"Yes," responded Derrick, a trifle confusedly; for--well, while

recounting his adventures to Celia, he had omitted any mention of the

Isabel episode. "She is a great friend of mine. And so is that

fine-looking chap who is going to do the trapeze act presently. There he

is, standing by the entrance, where they come into the arena. His name

is Sidcup: splendid fellow, isn't he?"

"Splendid," murmured Celia, admiringly. "How clever they all are!"

"Here, come, let's go round at once, now," said Derrick, as the

performance came to an end and the band played "God save the King." He

led her round to the performers' tent, and almost ran against Mr.

Bloxford. Needless to say, he wore his fur coat. At sight of Derrick's

smiling face and outstretched hand, Mr. Bloxford started and stared, in

a bewildered fashion, then he recognised Derrick and, grasping the hand,

shook it heartily.




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