Part 16 (1/2)

”I will tell you why I have returned, Mr. Edward,” said Oswald. ”It is of no consequence whether I return now or to-morrow. It is now early, and as you intend going to Lymington, it occurred to me that I had better go with you. I can then show you all you want, which will be much better than going by yourself.”

”Thank you, Oswald, I am much obliged to you,” said Edward.

”Humphrey, we will get the cart out immediately, or we shall be late.

Will you get it, Humphrey, for I must go for some money, and speak to Alice.”

Humphrey went immediately to put the pony in the cart, when Edward said,

”Oswald, you must not call me Mr. Edward, even when we are alone: if you do you will be calling me so before other people, and, therefore, recollect in future, it must be plain Edward.”

”Since you wish it, certainly,” replied Oswald; ”indeed it would be better, for a slip of the tongue before other people might create suspicion.”

The pony and cart were soon at the door, and Edward having received further instructions from Alice, set off for Lymington, accompanied by Oswald.

CHAPTER XI.

”Would you have found your way to Lymington?” said Oswald, as the pony trotted along.

”Yes; I think so,” replied Edward; ”but I must have first gone to Arnwood. Indeed, had I been alone I should have done so; but we have made a much shorter cut.”

”I did not think that you would have liked to have seen the ruins of Arnwood,” replied Oswald.

”Not a day pa.s.ses without my thinking of them,” replied Edward. ”I should like to see them. I should like to see if any one has taken possession of the property, for they say it is confiscated.”

”I heard that it was to be, but not that it was yet,” said Oswald; ”but we shall know more when we get to Lymington. I have not seen it for more than a year. I hardly think that any one will recognize you.”

”I should think not; but I care little if they do. Indeed, who is thee to know me?”

”Well, my introduction of you will save some surmises, probably; and I shall not take you among those who may be inclined to ask questions. See, there is the steeple; we have not more than a quarter of an hour's drive.”

As soon as they arrived at Lymington, Oswald directed the way to a small hostelry to which the keepers and verderers usually resorted. In fact, the landlord was the party who took all the venison off their hands, and disposed of it. They drove into the yard, and, giving the pony and cart in charge of the hostler, went into the inn, where they found the landlord, and one or two other people, who were drinking.

”Well, Master Andrew, how fare you?” said Oswald.

”Let me see,” said the corpulent landlord, throwing back his head, and putting out his stomach, as he peered at Oswald. ”Why, Oswald Partridge, as I am a born man. Where have you been this many a day!”

”In the forest, Master Andrew, where there are no few chops and changes.”

”Yes, you have a sort of Parliamentary keeper, I'm told; and who is this with you?”

”The grandson of an old friend of yours, now dead, poor old Jacob Armitage.”

”Jacob dead, poor fellow! As true as flint was Jacob Armitage, as I'm a born man! And so he is dead! Well, we all owe Heaven a death. Foresters and landlords, as well as kings, all must die!”

”I have brought Edward Armitage over here to introduce him to you, Master Andrew. Now that the old man is dead, you must look to him for forest meat.”

”Oh, well, well, it is scarce now. I have not had any for some time. Old Jacob brought me the last. You are not one of the Parliamentary foresters, then, I presume?” continued the landlord, turning to Edward.

”No,” replied Edward, ”I kill no venison for Roundheads.”