264 THE SMUGGLER; 



" Stay, stay a moment, Radford," said the baronet, rising 

 and coming nearer to him. " You spoke of revenge just now. 

 What is it that you mean?" 



" I told you to ask no questions," answered the other, 

 sharply. 



" But at least tell me, if it is on me or mine that you seek 

 revenge!" exclaimed Sir Robert Croyland. "I am uncon- 

 scious of ever having injured or offended you in any way." 



" Oh! dear, no," replied Mr. Radford. " You have nothing 

 to do with it ; no, nor your daughter either, though she deserves 

 a little punishment for her ill-treatment to my son. No, but 

 there is one on whom I will have revenge, deep and bitter 

 revenge, too. But that is my affair, and I do not choose to 

 say more. You have heard my resolutions; and you know 

 me well enough to be sure that I will keep my word. So now 

 go to your daughter, and manage the matter as you judge best; 

 but if you will take my advice, you will simply ask her con- 

 sent, and make her fully aware that her father's life depends 

 upon it; and now, good-bye, my dear friend. Good luck 

 attend you on your errand; for I would a great deal rather 

 not have any hand in bringing you where destiny seems in- 

 clined to lead you very soon." 



Thus saying, he turned and quitted the room; and Sir 

 Robert Croyland remained musing for several minutes, his 

 thoughts first resting upon the last part of their conversation. 

 "Revenge!" he said; "he must mean my brother; and it will 

 be bitter enough to him to see Edith married to this youth. 

 Bitter enough to me, too; but it must be done, it must be 

 done!" 



He pressed his hand upon his heart, and then went out to 

 mount his horse; but pausing in the vestibule, he told the 

 butler to bring him a glass of brandy. The man hastened to 

 obey, for his master's face was as pale as death, and he 

 thought that Sir Robert was going to faint. But when the 

 baronet had swallowed the stimulating liquor, he walked to 

 the back door with a quick and tolerably steady step, mounted, 

 and rode away alone. 



Before I follow him, though anxious to do so as quickly as 

 possible, I must say a few words in regard to Mr. Radford's 

 course. After he had reached the parish road I have men- 

 tioned, on which one or two dragoons were still visible, slowly 



