THE SMUGGLER. 69 



himself charmed at the opportunity of meeting him. Mr. 

 Radford hoped that he was going to honour their poor place 

 for a considerable length of time, and Sir Edward felt sure that 

 the beauty of such scenery, and the delights of such society, 

 would be the cause of much pain to him when he was com- 

 pelled to tear himself away. 



A low but merry laugh from behind them, caused both the 

 gentlemen to turn their heads ; and they found the sparkling 

 eyes of Zara Croyland fixed upon them. She instantly dropped 

 her eye- lids, however, and coloured a little, at being detected. 

 It was evident enough that she had been weighing the compli- 

 ments she heard, and estimating them at their right value, 

 which made Mr. Radford look somewhat angry, but elicited 

 nothing from Sir Edward Digby but a gay glance at the beau- 

 tiful little culprit, which she caught, even through the thick 

 lashes of her downcast eyes, and which served to reassure her. 



Sir Robert Croyland himself was displeased ; but Zara was 

 in a degree a spoiled child, and had established for herself a 

 privilege of doing what she liked, unscolded. To turn the 

 conversation, therefore, Sir Robert, in a tone of great regard, 

 inquired particularly after his young friend, Richard, and said, 

 he hoped that they were to have the pleasure of seeing him. 



"I trust so, I trust so, Sir Robert," replied Mr. Radford; 

 " but you know I am totally unacquainted with his movements. 

 He had gone away upon some business, the servants told me ; 

 and I waited as long as I could for him ; but I did not choose 

 to keep your dinner, Sir Robert ; and if he does not choose to 

 come in time, the young dog must go without. Pray do not 

 stop a moment for him." 



"Business!" muttered Mr. Croyland ; "either cheating the 

 king's revenue, or making love to a milkmaid, I'll answer for 

 him ;" but the remark passed unnoticed, for Sir Robert Croy- 

 land, who was always anxious to drown his brother's some- 

 what too pertinent observations, without giving the nabob any 

 offence, was loudly pressing Mr. Radford to let them wait for 

 half-an-hour, in order to give time for the young gentleman's 

 arrival. 



His father, however, would not hear of such a proceeding; 

 and the bell was rung, and dinner ordered. It was placed 

 upon the table with great expedition ; and the party moved 

 towards the dining-room. Mr. Radford handed in the baronet's 



