THE SMUGGLER. 151 



in civilized society. She, therefore, replied at once, "Don't stop 

 me, uncle ; there's a good man ! I came to speak a few words to 

 Edith, and wish to speak them before my aunt arrives." 



"What! plot and counterplot, I will warrant I" exclaimed 

 Mr. Croyland, freeing her arm. "Well, get you gone, yon 

 graceless monkey I Ha! who have we here? Why, my 

 young friend, the half-bottle man! Are you one of the plot- 

 ters too, Sir Edward?" 



"Oh! I am a complete master in the art of domestic 

 strategy, I assure you," answered the young officer, "and I 

 propose, having heard what Miss Croyland has just said, that 

 we take up a position across these glass doors, in order to 

 favour her operations. We can then impede the advance of 

 Miss Barbara's corps, by throwing forward the light-infantry 

 of small-talk, assure her that it is a most beautiful day, tell 

 her that the view from the hill is lovely, and that the slight 

 yellowness of September gives a fine warmth to the green 

 foliage, with various other pieces of information which she 

 does not desire, till the manoeuvres in our rear are complete." 



"Ah! you are a sad knave," replied Mr. Zachary Croyland, 

 laughing, "and, I see, are quite ready to aid the young in 

 bamboozling the old." 



But, alas, the best schemed campaign is subject to acci- 

 dental impediments in execution, which will often deprive it of 

 success! Almost as Mr. Croyland spoke, the carriage rolled 

 up ; and not small was the horror of the master of the house, 

 to see riding behind it, on a tall grey horse, no other than 

 young Richard Radford. Sir Edward Digby, though less hor- 

 rified, was not well pleased; but it was Mr. Croyland who 

 spoke, and that in rather a sharp and angry tone, stepping 

 forward, at the same time, over the threshold of his door: 

 "Mr. Radford," he said; "Mr. Radford, I am surprised to 

 see you I You must very well know, that although I tolerate, 

 and am obliged to tolerate, a great many people whom I don't 

 approve, at my brother's house, your society is not that which 

 I particularly desire." 



Young Radford's eyes flashed, but, for once in his life, he 

 exercised some command over himself. "I came here at your 

 sister's suggestion, sir," he said. 



"Oh! Barbara, Barbara! barbarous Barbara!" exclaimed 

 Mr. Zachary Croyland, shaking his head at his sister, who was 



