DICK ROOK. 183 



the Punch-bowl is passed, there is a sort of hut 

 alehouse, close to the spot where Queen Anne is 

 supposed to have sat to view the herds of red deer, 

 as they were driven past her. At some distance 

 at the back of this hut, and in a hollow, were three 

 or four rude cottages, inhabited some years ago by 

 a set of persons, who procured a precarious liveli- 

 hood by pilfering, poaching, and bilberry picking. 

 In one of these hovels, from some cause or other, 

 Dick had been in the habit of taking up an occasi- 

 onal abode. Its inmates consisted of a man and 

 his wife, and an only daughter, for whom Dick it 

 would appear had formed an attachment. There 

 was, however, much of mystery in the sentiment he 

 felt for her. His pride and poverty, probably, pre- 

 vented his endeavouring to make her his wife ; and 

 the life he led must have convinced him that he had 

 no chance of ever having a home to offer her. He 

 assiduously attended her to the slopes of the hill, 

 t,nd assisted her in coUecting bilberries, which are 

 there found in considerable quantities, and produce 

 a good price in the neighbouring market-town. 

 Susan Jones was pretty, coquettish, and somewhat 

 slatternly. Like many of her class in life, she had 

 strong likings and dislikings. She would flirt with 

 one man and abuse another : sometimes all smiles, 

 and at others all passion and revenge. Dick bore 

 with patience all her waywardness, and treated her 

 more with the affection of a father than with that 



