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Mrs. Belfield began the account of her adventure, as she called it.

"I am satisfied of all your anxiety about me, and I cannot enough.commend my young folks' command of themselves, in not overwhelming me with enquiries. I rose earlier than usual on this happy day, dear Edmund, to join your morning ramble, but found your sisters' impatience exceeded even mine. I followed the happy groupe, and heard a part of the affectionate and very pretty serenade. However, I thought I should surprise you agreeably, by going round by the garden walls, and bringing with me a basket

a basket of strawberries and cherries, which the gardner had promised me for this day. You know by this I had the little close to cross, and there now lies all my fruit, and the new basket, with some beautiful roses from the greenhouse. I fancied I heard a strange noise, and turning round, saw a furious ox, that had, I suppose, been over driven, making, with frightful haste, to the lane I knew you must all pass. I need not describe my terror-you can all feel for me. I had heard that these beasts have a particular dread of any thing thrown suddenly in their way. I spread my parasol, and fastened my

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shawl to it, in a moment, and flying, rather than running to the stile, got over; the beast made directly to me, and, had he passed, would have been up with my children in two minutes. With all my force, I thrust my parasol at him: the length of the stick, and the weight at its end, I suppose, was too much for my strength: I felt my hand give way. The ox, startled, gallopped fiercely back, making a shocking noise. Joy, terror, and pain, overcame me, and I fainted. I know no more, until I found myself in Dame Atwood's cottage. I thought of my Elinor's fear of these beasts, and this terrified me excessively.. "Let

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"Let the danger your mother has escaped help to make you, my good child, less fearful; reflect on the consequences-bad the beast pursued its way, no one can tell the mischief; had your brothers flown to your relief, your younger sisters, and little Laura, who still more wanted their protection, must have been left to themselves; and Elinor, who is wont to set them the best examples, would, most likely, have contributed to their terror. I do not, my sweet girl, intend any lecture on this blessed day; look up then, and wipe away those tears, that do your heart so much honour. I need no

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other promise of your sincere endeavours to conquer this weakness, as a little presence of mind is all that is wanted; and this, in general, few are more blessed with than my Elinor. I will, my dear Mrs. Churchill, have my arm put in a silk handkerchief as a sling, I think, and then I shall be as merry and as much at my ease as any one.

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"Edmund, your young acquaint ance from Castle Coombe, will be here to join in your fishing party; but I trust you will return to the Lawn by one o'clock, as your presence will add greatly to the pleasure of your pensioners at their repast.”

EDMUND.

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