142 EACECOUESE AND COVEET SIDE. 



As soou as the words were spoken Swaynton 

 and his friend pulled np at the door, and were 

 received by old Lomax, the landlord, with the 

 ceremony due to the squire's son and his guest. 

 The soiled state of their pinks, breeches and 

 boots showed that they had been hard at work 

 in a deep-going country. 



'* Good day, Lomax. My friend's horse has 

 cast a shoe. Will you send him round to the 

 forge, and we'll wait ? " Swaynton said. 



"Yes, sir, directly. Will you step into my 



room, sir ? 

 (I 



'' Oh no, thanks, Lomax. We won't disturb 

 you ; we'll go into the parlour. What will you 

 have, Charlie ? A mug of ale for me, please — 

 two mugs ; " and the young men turned aside 

 into the cheery room, the occupants of which 

 were barely discernible for the smoke they 

 raised. 



" My duty to you, sir. Glad to see you down 

 again. Will you come to the fire, -sir? " Driller 

 said, moving his chair back, and displaying a 

 sturdy pair of butcher boots, with a suitable 

 continuation of cord breeches, showing that he 

 too had been out with the hounds. 



*' No, thanks, Driller. We're not cold ; 

 we've been riding. I thought I saw you, but 

 you left us early." 



