he beasts, the
cart was loaded, and they returned home; they had to return a second
time, and both the pony and they were very tired before they sat down to
supper. They found the gipsy boy very much recovered, and in good
spirits. Alice said that he had been amusing Edith and her by tossing
up three potatoes at a time, and playing them like balls; and that he
had spun a platter upon an iron skewer and balanced it on his chin.
They gave him some supper, which he ate in the chimney-corner, looking
up and staring every now and then at Edith, to whom he appeared very
much attached already.

"Is it good?" said Humphrey to the boy, giving him another
venison-steak.

"Yes; not have so good supper in pit-hole," replied Pablo, laughing.

Early on the following morning Edward and Humphrey set off to Lymington
with the cart laden with meat. Edward showed Humphrey all the shops and
the streets they were in where the purchases were to be made--introduced
him to the landlord of the hostelrie--and having sold their meat, they
returned home. The rest of the meat was taken to Lymington and disposed
of by Humphrey on the following day; and the day after that, the three
skins were carried to the town and disposed of.

"We made a good day's work, Edward," said Humphrey, as he reckoned up
the money they had made.

"We earned it with some risk, at all events," replied Edward; "and now,
Humphrey, I think it is time that I keep my promise to Oswald, and go
over to the Intendant's house and pay my visit to the young lady, as I
presume she is--and certainly she has every appearance of being one. I
want the visit to be over, as I want to be doing."

"How do you mean, Edward?"

"I mean that I want to go out and kill some deer; but I will not do it
till after I have seen her: when my visit is over, I intend to defy the
Intendant and all his verderers."

"But why should this visit prevent you going out this very day, if so
inclined?"

"I don't know, but she may ask me if I have done so, and I do not want
to tell her that I have; neither do I want to say that I have not if I
have; and therefore I shall not commence till after I have seen her."

"When will you set off?"

"To-morrow morning; and I shall take my gun, although Oswald desired me
not; but after the fight we had with the wild cattle the other day I
don't think it prudent to be unarmed; indeed, I do not feel comfortable
without I have my gun, at any time."

"Well, I sha