d in particular looked above his
head, as though he half expected to be standing under some object
which had had existence in his dream. Then he rubbed his eyes and shook
himself again, and followed his conductor into his own rooms.

Mr Chester lighted the candles which stood upon his dressing-table, and
wheeling an easy-chair towards the fire, which was yet burning, stirred
up a cheerful blaze, sat down before it, and bade his uncouth visitor
'Come here,' and draw his boots off.

'You have been drinking again, my fine fellow,' he said, as Hugh went
down on one knee, and did as he was told.

'As I'm alive, master, I've walked the twelve long miles, and waited
here I don't know how long, and had no drink between my lips since
dinner-time at noon.'

'And can you do nothing better, my pleasant friend, than fall asleep,
and shake the very building with your snores?' said Mr Chester. 'Can't
you dream in your straw at home, dull dog as you are, that you need come
here to do it?--Reach me those slippers, and tread softly.'

Hugh obeyed in silence.

'And harkee, my dear young gentleman,' said Mr Chester, as he put them
on, 'the next time you dream, don't let it be of me, but of some dog or
horse with whom you are better acquainted. Fill the glass once--you'll
find it and the bottle in the same place--and empty it to keep yourself
awake.'

Hugh obeyed again even more zealously--and having done so, presented
himself before his patron.

'Now,' said Mr Chester, 'what do you want with me?'

'There was news to-day,' returned Hugh. 'Your son was at our house--came
down on horseback. He tried to see the young woman, but couldn't get
sight of her. He left some letter or some message which our Joe had
charge of, but he and the old one quarrelled about it when your son had
gone, and the old one wouldn't let it be delivered. He says (that's the
old one does) that none of his people shall interfere and get him into
trouble. He's a landlord, he says, and lives on everybody's custom.'

'He's a jewel,' smiled Mr Chester, 'and the better for being a dull
one.--Well?'

'Varden's daughter--that's the girl I kissed--'

'--and stole the bracelet from upon the king's highway,' said Mr
Chester, composedly. 'Yes; what of her?'

'She wrote a note at our house to the young woman, saying she lost the
letter I brought to you, and you burnt. Our Joe was to carry it, but
the old one kept him at home all next day, on purpose that he shouldn't