THE SMUGGLER. 339 



fact of the abstraction of all his horses ; but he now spoke of 

 it in a lighter and less careful manner than before. 



"Doubtless," he said, "they have been taken without leave, 

 as usual, by the smugglers, to use for their own purposes. It 

 is quite a common practice in this county ; and yet we all go 

 on leaving our stable-doors open, as if to invite all who pass 

 to enter, and choose what they like. Then, I suppose, they 

 have tren captured with other spoil, in the strife of yesterday 

 morning, and are become the prize of the conquerors ; so that 

 I shall never see them again." 



"Oh, no!'' answered the young officer, "they will be re- 

 stored, I am quite sure, upon your identifying them, and 

 proving that they were taken, without your consent, by the 

 smugglers. I shall go over to Woodchurch by-and-bye ; and 

 if you please, I will claim them for you." 



"It is scarcely worth while," replied the baronet; "I doubt 

 that I shall ever get them back. These are little losses which 

 every man in this neighbourhood must suffer, as a penalty for 

 remaining in a half savage part of the country. What are 

 you disposed to do this morning, Sir Edward? Do you again 

 walk the stubbles?" 



" I fear it would be of little use," answered Digby ; " there 

 has been so much galloping lately, that I do not think a par- 

 tridge has been left undisturbed in its furrow; and the sun is 

 too high for much sport." 



" Well, then, let us walk in the garden for a little, 5 ' said 

 Sir Robert; "it is curious, in some respects, having been laid 

 out long before this house was built, antiquated as it is." 



Sir Edward Digby assented, but looked round for Zara, as 

 he certainly thought her society would be a great addition to 

 her father's. She had not yet returned to the room, however; 

 and Sir Robert, as if he divined his young companion's feelings, 

 requested his sister to tell her niece, when she came, that 

 he and their guest were walking in the garden. "It is one 

 of her favourite spots, Sir Edward,' 7 he continued, as they 

 went out, "and many a meditative hour she spends there; 

 for, gay as she is, she has her fits of thought too." 



The young baronet internally said, " Well she may, in this 

 house!" but making a more civil answer to his entertainer, he 

 followed him to the garden; and so well and even cheerfully 

 did Sir Robert Cropland keep up the conversation, so learnedly 



