156 THE SMUGGLER. 



lie where she is; the recumbent position is the right thing. 

 Bring a cushion out of the drawing-room, Edith, my love, and 

 ask Babafor the hartshorn drops. We'll soon get her better; 

 and then the best thing you can do, Bab, is to put her into the 

 carriage, take her home again, and hold your tongue to my 

 brother about this foolish affair: if anything can hold a woman's 

 tongue. I'll plaster tip the man's arm, and then, like many 

 another piece of damaged goods, he'll be all right, on the out- 

 side at least." 



Mrs. Barbara Croyland followed devoutly one part of her 

 brother's injunctions. As soon as Zara was sufficiently 

 recovered, she hurried her to the carriage, without leaving her 

 alone with Edith for one moment; and Sir Edward Digby, 

 having had his wound skilfully dressed by Mr. Zachary Croy- 

 land's own hands, thanked the old gentleman heartily for his 

 care and kindness, mounted his horse, and rode back to liar- 

 bourne House. 



CHAPTER XV. 



WE must now return to the town of Hythe, and to the little 

 room in the little inn, which that famous borough boasted as 

 its principal hostelry, at the period of our tale. It was about 

 eleven o'clock at night, perhaps a few minutes earlier; and in 

 that room was seated a gentleman, whom we have left for a 

 long time, though not without interest in himself and his con- 

 cerns. But, as in this wayfaring world we are often destined 

 for weeks, months, ay, and long years, to quit those whom we 

 love best, and to work for their good in distant scenes, with 

 many a thought given to them, but few means of communica- 

 tion ; so, in every picture of human life which comprises more 

 than one character, must we frequently leave those in whom 

 we are most interested, while we are tracing out the various 

 remote cords and pulleys of fate, by which the fabric of their 

 destiny is ultimately reared. 



The gentleman, then, who had, been introduced to Mr. 

 Croyland as Captain Osborn, was seated at a table, writing. 

 A number of papers, consisting of letters, accounts, and several 

 printed forms, unfilled up, were strewed upon the table around, 



