104 The Cottage on the Cliff.

the steps passed our door. Oh,
how breathlessly we waited! Once,
even, I had the door ajar, and was
peeping out, when a hurried hand
outside suddenly shut it again,
making me start back. By and by
there was a sound of footsteps
going downstairs, and in a moment
Lottie and I were both in the
passage entreating Jane to tell us
what had happened.

“ Master Harry has been tum-
bled over the pony’s head, Miss
Lottie,” she said, “and he’s been
lying in a ditch nobody knows how
long ; but the dog’s saved his life—
him and Gus together—and the