1 00 THE SMUGGLED. 



from the gratitude of his king and his country, the high 

 honour " 



But he was not allowed to finish his sentence; for Mrs. 

 Barbara Croyland, who was most unfortunately matutinal in 

 her habits, now came out with a shawl for her fair niece, and 

 was uncomfortably civil to Sir Edward Digby; inquiring how 

 he had slept, whether he had been warm enough, whether he 

 liked two pillows or one, and a great many other questions, 

 which lasted till young Eadford made his appearance at the 

 door, and then, with a pale face and sullen brow, came out and 

 joined the party on the terrace. 



"Well," said Mrs. Barbara; now that she had done as 

 much mischief as possible, " I'll just go in and make breakfast, 

 as Edith must set out early, and Mr. Radford wants to get 

 home to shoot." 



"Edith set off early?" exclaimed Zara; " why, where is 

 she going, my dear aunt?" 



"Oh! I have just been settling it all with your papa, my 

 love," replied Mrs. Barbara. " I thought she was looking ill 

 yesterday, and so I talked to your uncle last night. He said 

 he would be very glad to have her with him for a few days ; 

 but as he expects a Captain Osborn before the end of the week, 

 she must come at once; and Sir Robert says she can have the 

 carriage after breakfast, but it must be back by one." 



Zara cast down her eyes, and the whole party, as if by 

 common consent, took their way back to the house. As they 

 passed in, however, and proceeded towards the dining-room, 

 where the table was laid for breakfast, Zara found a moment 

 to say to Sir Edward Digby, in a low tone, " Was ever any- 

 thing so unfortunate! I will try to stop it if I can." 



" Not so unfortunate as it seems," whispered the young 

 baronet, " let it take its course. I will explain hereafter." 



" Whispering! whispering!" said young Radford, in a rude 

 tone, and with a sneer curling his lip. 



Zara's cheek grew crimson; but Digby turned upon him 

 sharply, demanding, "What is that to you, sir? Pray make 

 no observations upon my conduct, for depend upon it I shall 

 not tolerate any insolence." 



At that moment, however, Sir Robert Croyland appeared ; 

 and whatever might have been Richard Radford's intended 

 reply, it was suspended upon his lips. 



