Upon seeing his little ones in safety, De Brooke was about securing the door against a further entrance of the terrific animal, causing so great a panic, when Count de Bellemare, who occupied an apartment on the story beneath, leisurely mounting the staircase, in a loose robe-de-chambre and slippers, smiling and bowing to De Brooke with his usual courteousness, told him he was come in search of his dog, who, at the call and well-known voice of his master, crept submissively to his feet. Not in humour to encounter one so vivacious as the Count, De Brooke preserved silence: having exchanged salutations, he pointed to the floor, besmeared as it was with blood by the savage dog. With an air half risible, half serious, the Count began to relate his story, till somewhat awed by the indignant glances of his hearer.
"I beg ten tousand pardons," said he, "and am very sorry for de circumstance, which arose from an unfortunate hazard dat could not have been foreseen; dis honest fellow and myself," patting his dog, "were indulging in our usual sport—"
"Sport!" exclaimed De Brooke with a look of incredulity.
"Yes, certainly, sport," returned the Count; "excellent sport; man is fond of de chase, and for
