THE SMUGGLER. 85 



Sir Edward Digby thanked him, and walked forward. A 

 few rapid steps brought him close to the two ladies, who, 

 though they looked upon every part of the wood as more or 

 less their home, and consequently felt no fear, turned at the 

 sound of a footfall so near; and the younger of the two smiled 

 gaily when she saw who it was. 



"What! Sir Edward Digby!" she exclaimed. "In the 

 name of all that is marvellous, how did you escape from the 

 dining-room? Why, you will be accused of shirking the 

 bottle, cowardice, milksopism, and crimes and misdemeanours 

 enough to forfeit your commission 1" 



She spoke gaily; but Sir Edward Digby thought that the 

 gaiety was not exactly sterling; for when first she turned, her 

 face had been nearly as grave as her sister's. He answered, 

 however, in the same tone: " I must plead guilty to all such 

 misdemeanours ; but if they are to be rewarded by such pleasure 

 as that of a walk with you, I fear I shall often commit them." 



" You must not pay us courtly compliments, Sir Edward," 

 said Miss Croyland, " for we poor country people do not un- 

 derstand them. I hope, however, you left the party peaceable ; 

 for it promised to be quite the contrary at one time, and my 

 uncle and Mr. Radford never agree." 



" Oh ! quite peaceable, 1 can assure you," replied Digby. 

 " I retreated under cover of your uncle's movements. Per- 

 haps, otherwise, I might not have got away so easily. He it 

 was who told me where I should find you." 



" Indeed!" exclaimed Miss Croyland, in a tone of surprise; 

 and then, casting down her eyes, she fell into thought. Her 

 sister, however, carried on the conversation in her stead, 

 saying: "Well, you are the first soldier, Sir Edward, I ever 

 saw, who left the table before night." 



" They must have been soldiers who had seen little service, 

 I should think," replied the young officer; " for a man called 

 upon often for active exertion, soon finds the necessity of 

 keeping any brains he has got as clear as possible, in case they 

 should be needed. In many countries where I have been, too, 

 we could get no wine to drink, even if we wanted it. Such 

 was the case in Canada, and in some parts of Germany." 



" Have you served in Canada?" demanded Miss Croyland, 

 suddenly, raising her eyes to his face with a look of deep 

 interest. 



