But the bad dog merely circled around with the novel in his mouth; and then, as she made a grab at him he doubled suddenly, and was off in the opposite direction. Celia did not follow him, however; she retired behind a big bush, and waited to see if he would return. Presently peeping out from behind her place of shelter, she saw the puppy coming back, evidently in search of her, and suddenly darting out in the hope of catching him unawares, her foot slipped on a loose stone, and she fell with some force to the ground.
"HER FOOT SLIPPED ON A LOOSE STONE, AND SHE FELL WITH SOME FORCE ON THE GROUND."
It was with difficulty that she repressed a cry of pain as she endeavoured to rise, for she had twisted her ankle in her fall, and now found she could scarcely move. Looking around, she espied the puppy at a little distance, watching her with roguish brown eyes, whilst he contentedly chewed the loose leaves of "Lady Isabella's Treachery." Celia burst into tears at the sight, realizing how incapable she was of getting possession of the book, and knowing that her mother would be extremely angry with her for having borrowed it from Lulu; not that she had ever been forbidden to read anything of the kind, but her conscience told her that such literature would not meet with her mother's approval. She covered her face with her hands and wept bitterly, overcome with mingled emotions.
Meanwhile, Joy had returned to the drawing-room, and reported, in all good faith, that Celia had not quite finished learning her lessons, but would be in presently. Sir Jasper, looking brighter than usual, was talking to Miss Pring and Mrs. Wallis; by-and-by he suggested a stroll in the rock garden, and thither they accordingly repaired, Sir Jasper leaning on his niece's arm, whilst Miss Pring followed with Joy. So it was they came upon Celia, seated forlornly upon the ground, indulging in floods of tears.
"My dear child!" cried Mrs. Wallis, whilst Sir Jasper uttered an exclamation of dismay, and Joy ran to her sister's side, beseeching her to say what was amiss, and Miss Pring surveyed the scene in silence. "What has happened? Are you hurt?"
"My foot!" gasped Celia. "I think I have twisted it! I was running after Wag and I fell!"
All looked at the puppy. Wearied out its gambols, he now lay quietly, with the novel between his paws. Whilst Mrs. Wallis was examining Celia's injured foot, and assuring herself not much damage had been done, Miss Pring stepped up to the little dog and took possession of the cause of all the trouble.
"What has he been destroying?" Sir Jasper asked. "I trust he has not done much mischief."
"He has torn up a cheap, sensational novel, that's all," Miss Pring replied.