1 28 THE SMUGGLER. 



perceive none. The next instant, coming round a shrub which 

 started forward a little before the rest of the trees, he saw the 

 younger Miss Croyland advancing with a quick step, and, he 

 could not help thinking, with a somewhat agitated air. Her 

 colour was heightened, her eyes eagerly looking on ; but, as 

 soon as she saw him, she slackened her pace, and came forward 

 in a more deliberate manner. 



"Oh! Sir Edward," she said, in a calm, sweet tone, "I 

 am glad to see you. You have finished your shooting early, 

 it seems." 



" Why, the sport was beginning to slacken," answered Sir 

 Edward Digby. " I had not had a shot for the last half hour, 

 and so thought it best to give it up." 



" Well then, you shall take a walk with me," cried Zara, 

 gaily. "I am just going down to a poor friend of ours called 

 Widow Clare, and you shall come too." 



" What! notwithstanding all your sage and prudent appre- 

 hensions in regard to what people might say if we were seen 

 alone together!" exclaimed Sir Edward Digby, with a smile. 



" Oh! I don't mind that," answered Zara, " Great occa- 

 sions, you know, Sir Edward, require decisive measures; and 

 I assuredly want an escort through this terrible forest, to pro- 

 tect me from all the giants and enchanters it may contain." 



Sir Edward Digby looked at his watch again, and saw that 

 it wanted but two minutes to the half hour. 



" Oh!" said Zara, affecting a look of pique, " if you have 

 some important appointment, Sir Edward, it is another affair: 

 only tell me if it be so?" 



Sir Edward Digby took her hand in his: "I will tell you, 

 dear lady," he replied, " if you will first tell me one thing, 

 truly and sincerely: What brought you here?" 



Zara trembled and coloured; for with the question put in 

 so direct a shape, the agitation, which she had previously 

 overcome, mastered her in turn, and she answered, " Don't, 

 don't, or I shall cry." 



" Well, then, tell me at least if I had anything to do with 

 it?" asked the young baronet. 



"Yes, you had!" replied Zara; "I can't tell a falsehood. 

 But now, Sir Edward, don't, as most of you men would do, 

 suppose that it's from any very tender interest in you that I 

 did this foolish thing. It was because I thought I thought, 



