278 THE SMUGGLER. 



not forget his object, indeed. To save himself from a death 

 of horror, from accusation, from disgrace, was still his end; 

 but the means by which he proposed to seek it were gentler. 

 He even wavered in his resolution: he fancied that he could 

 summon fortitude to leave the decision to Edith herself, and 

 that if that decision were against him, would dare and bear 

 the worst. But still he was pleased to see her moved; for 

 he thought that she could never hear the whole tale, and 

 learn his situation fully, without rushing forward to extricate 

 him; and he went on "Nay, Edith, now the statement has 

 been begun, it must be concluded," he said. "You would 

 hear, and you must hear all. You know the wood I speak 

 of, I dare say; a little to the left of Chequer-tree?" 



"Oh! yes," murmured Edith, "where poor Clare was 

 found." 



The baronet nodded his head. " It was there, indeed," he 

 said. " We went down to see if there were any snipes or 

 wild fowl in the bottom. It is a deep and gloomy-looking 

 dell, with a pond of water and some rushes in the hollow, and 

 a little brook running through it, having tall trees all around, 

 and no road but one narrow path crossing it. As we came 

 down, I thought I saw the form of a man move amongst the 

 trees, and I fancied that some one was poaching there. I 

 told Clare to go round the pond and see, while I watched the 

 road. He did not seem inclined to go, saying, that he had not 

 remarked anybody, but that the people round about said the 

 place was haunted. I had been angry with him the whole 

 morning, and a good deal out of humour with many things ; 

 so I told him to go round instantly, and not make me any 

 answer. The man did so, in a somewhat slow and sullen 

 humour, I thought, and returned sooner than I fancied he 

 ought to do, saying that he could see no trace of any one. I 

 was now very angry, for I fancied he neglected his duty. I 

 told him that he was a liar; that I had perceived some one, 

 whom he might have perceived as well, and that my firm be- 

 lief was he was in alliance with the poachers, and deserved to 

 be immediately discharged. ' Well, Sir Eobert,' he said, ' in 

 regard to discharging me, that is soon settled. I will not stay 

 another day in your service after I have a legal right to go. 

 As to being a liar, I am none; and as to being in league with 

 the poachers, if you say so, you yourself lieT Such were his 



