masked,
your honour, and armed with pistols. What if they should come here!
such a thing was never heard of before in these parts. But, Sir,--but,
Miss,--do not be afraid, do not ye now, for I may say with the Psalmist,

'But wicked men shall drink the dregs
Which they in wrath shall wring,
For I will lift my voice, and make
Them flee while I do sing!'"

"You could not find a more effectual method of putting them to flight,
Peter," said Madeline smiling; "but go and talk to my uncle. I know we
have a whole magazine of blunderbusses and guns at home: they may be
useful now. But you are well provided in case of attack. Have you not
the Corporal's famous cat Jacobina,--surely a match for fifty robbers?"

"Ay, Miss, on the principle of set a thief to catch a thief, perhaps she
may; but really it is no jesting matter. Them ere robbers flourish like
a green bay tree, for a space at least, and it is 'nation bad sport for
us poor lambs till they be cut down and withered like grass. But your
house, Mr. Aram, is very lonesome like; it is out of reach of all
your neighbours. Hadn't you better, Sir, take up your lodgings at the
Squire's for the present?"

Madeline pressed Aram's arm, and looked up fearfully in his face. "Why,
my good friend," said he to Dealtry, "robbers will have little to gain
in my house, unless they are given to learned pursuits. It would be
something new, Peter, to see a gang of housebreakers making off with a
telescope, or a pair of globes, or a great folio covered with dust."

"Ay, your honour, but they may be the more savage for being
disappointed."

"Well, well, Peter, we will see," replied Aram impatiently; "meanwhile
we may meet you again at the hall. Good evening for the present."

"Do, dearest Eugene, do, for Heaven's sake," said Madeline, with tears
in her eyes, as they, now turning from Dealtry, directed their steps
towards the quiet valley, at the end of which the Student's house was
situated, and which was now more than ever Madeline's favourite walk,
"do, dearest Eugene, come up to the Manor-house till these wretches are
apprehended. Consider how open your house is to attack; and surely there
can be no necessity to remain in it now."

Aram's calm brow darkened for a moment. "What! dearest," said he, "can
you be affected by the foolish fears of yon dotard? How do we know as
yet, whether this improbable story have any foundation in truth. At
all e