ating his situation to his friend. Fearing that he had been
induced to commit some desperate act, he did not wait to change his
dress, or partake of the breakfast old Ruth had provided, but mounting a
horse, rode full speed to Ashton.

Long before he reached the village he learned the dreadful tale of the
murder, and though he did not like to believe Anthony guilty, he knew
not how to get satisfactorily over the great mass of circumstantial
evidence, which even his own letter contained against him. Every person
with whom he talked upon the subject held the same opinion, and many who
before had execrated the old man, and spoke with abhorrence of his
conduct to his son, now mentioned him with pity and respect, and decried
the young man as a monster, for whom hanging was too good, who deserved
to die a thousand deaths.

Deeply grieved for his unfortunate relative, Wildegrave at first
defended him with some warmth, and urged as an excuse for his conduct
the unnatural treatment he had from infancy received from his father.

"Sir," said an old farmer, who had formed one of the jury during the
inquest, "with all his faults, old Mark was an honest man, and doubtless
he had good reasons for his conduct, and knew the lad better than we
did, as the result has proved."

"It has not been proved yet," said Frederic, "and I believe, however
strongly appearances are against him, that Anthony Hurdlestone never
committed the murder."

"Mr. Wildegrave, I am sorry to contradict a gentleman like you, but did
not Grenard Pike see him with his own eyes fire at the old man through
the window? And has he not known the lad from a baby?"

"He will be hung," said another farmer, riding up; "and that's not half
punishment enough for such a villain!"

"He should be torn to pieces," cried a third.

"He was a queer little boy," said a fourth; "I never thought that he
would come to any good."

"His uncle was the ruin of him," said a fifth. "If he had never taken
him from his father, the old man would have been alive this day."

"Oh hang him!" cried another. "I don't pity the old miser. He deserved
his death--but 'twas terrible from the hand of his own son."

"Old Mark is to have a grand funeral," said the first speaker. "He is to
be buried on Monday. All the gentlemen in the county will attend."

"It would break his heart, if he were alive," said another, "could he
but see the fine coffin that Jones is making for him. It is to be
covered