fathers--didst thou leave none of thy mettle and thy honour behind thee?
Or has all England become craven? Well, the time will come; and if I
can no longer hope to fight for my king, at all events I can fight
against those who have murdered him."

Such were Edward's thoughts as he wandered through the forest, and more
than an hour elapsed before his impetuous blood could return to its
usual flow; at last, more calm, he returned to the cottage, and listened
to the details which Oswald now gave to him of what he had heard.

When Oswald had finished, Edward asked him whether the Intendant had
returned.

"Yes, or I should not have been here," replied Oswald. "He came back
yesterday, looking most disconsolate and grave, and I hear that he
returns to London in a few days. Indeed, he told me so himself, for I
requested permission to come over to see your grandfather. He said that
I might go, but must return soon, as he must go back to London. I
believe, from what Miss Patience told me, and what I have seen myself,
that he is sincerely amazed and vexed at what has taken place; and so
indeed are many more, who, although opposed to the king's method of
government, never had an idea that things should have turned out as they
have done. I have a message from him to you, which is, that he begs you
will come to see him, that he may thank you for the preservation of his
child."

"I will take his thanks from you, Oswald: that will do as well as if he
gave them me in person."

"Yes, perhaps so; but I have another message from another party, which
is, the young lady herself. She desires me to tell you that she will
never be happy till she has seen you, and thanked you for your courage
and kindness; and that you have no right to put her under such an
obligation, and not give her an opportunity of expressing what she
feels. Now, Mr Edward, I am certain that she is earnest in what she
says, and she made me promise that I would persuade you to come. I
could not refuse her, for she is a dear little creature; as her father
will go to London in a few days, you may ride over and see her without
any fear of being affronted by any offers which he may make to you."

"Well," replied Edward, "I have no great objection to see her again, for
she was very kind to me; and as you say that the Intendant will not be
there I perhaps may come. But now I must talk to you about other
matters."

Edward then put many questions to Oswald relativ