nd can't you do everything that a man can do?"

"I really don't know; but I certainly shall always try so to do."

"Well, then, you must be a man."

"Clara, if it pleases you, I will be a man."

"Here comes Mr Heatherstone, so I know dinner is ready; is it not,
sir?"

"Yes, my child, it is," replied Mr Heatherstone, kissing Clara; "so let
us all go in."

Mr Heatherstone, as was usual at that time with the people to whose
party he ostensibly belonged, said a grace before meat, of considerable
length, and then they sat down to table. As soon as the repast was over
Mr Heatherstone returned to his study, and Edward went out to find
Oswald Partridge, with whom he remained the larger portion of the
afternoon, going to the kennel and examining the dogs, and talking of
matters connected with the chase.

"I have not two men that can stalk a deer," observed Oswald; "the men
appointed here as verderers and keepers have not one of them been
brought up to the business. Most of them are men who have been in the
army, and I believe have been appointed to these situations to get rid
of them, because they were troublesome; and they are anything but good
characters; the consequence is, that we kill but few deer, for I have so
much to attend to here, as none of them know their duties, that I can
seldom take my own gun out. I stated so to the Intendant, and he said,
that if you accepted an offer he had made you, and came over here, we
should not want venison; so it is clear that he does not expect you to
have your pen always in your hand."

"I am glad to hear that," replied Edward; "depend upon it his own table,
at all events, shall be well supplied. Is not that the fellow Corbould,
who is leaning against the wall?"

"Yes; he is to be discharged, as he cannot walk well, and the surgeon
says he will always limp. He owes you a grudge, and I am glad that he
is going away, for he is a dangerous man. But the sun is setting, Mr
Edward, and supper will soon be on the table; you had better go back to
the house."

Edward bade Oswald farewell, and returned to the Intendant's, and found
that Oswald was correct, as supper was being placed on the table.

Soon after supper, Phoebe and the men-servants were summoned, and
prayers offered up by the Intendant; after which Patience and Clara
retired. Edward remained in conversation with the Intendant for about
an hour, and then was conducted by him to his room, which had already
been sho