em as only additions,
which stories, like rolling snowballs, naturally receive in their
progress, and which, in the present instance, deserved even less
credit than usual, on account of their vagueness and improbability.
What motive could there be, for example, to induce Sir Christopher to
arrogate a title which did not belong to him, when there was every
chance of detection, and no important advantage to be gained? He had
never noticed in the Knight any assumption of superiority, but, on the
contrary, rather a careless cordiality, amounting almost to
_bonhommie_. Everything which he had seen about his friend forbade the
supposition. From the baselessness of this, he inferred the falsity of
all other charges, whatever they might be; and yet, notwithstanding
his conviction of the innocence of his friend, it appeared to him that
information of the disposition of Dudley ought to be made known to Sir
Christopher, in order to enable him to decide for himself upon the
steps necessary to be taken, before he should be assailed unawares.
Having arrived at this conclusion, Arundel lost no time in hurrying
off to the residence of the Knight.

CHAPTER XXVI.

"Ah! home let him speed, for the spoiler is nigh!
Why flames the far summit? Why shoot to the blast
Those embers, like stars from the firmament cast?"

CAMPBELL'S "_Lochiel_."

As Arundel left the hostelry, whither he had returned after his
snap-chance, he observed the figure of a man, whom he had seen several
times during the day, standing at a distance in the street. Unless his
suspicions had been excited, he would probably have paid no attention
to the circumstance; but, in the present condition of his mind, he
could not avoid connecting the man's frequent appearance with himself.
It seemed, indeed, as if his motions were watched, though why, he knew
not. In order to satisfy himself whether it were so, he stopped when
he reached the edge of the forest, and, concealing himself, waited for
the purpose of ascertaining whether he were followed; but, after
remaining some time without seeing any person, he concluded that he
must be mistaken, and more leisurely resumed his walk.

The day had been one of exceeding warmth, which circumstance, in
connection with the excitement he had passed through, produced an
exhaustion that indisposed the young man to exertion. In consequence
of this, it was at a slow pace he proceeded, imagining any haste
unnecessary, and es