s belt, and the sword, which, though commonly worn at
that time, by all pretending to superiority above the lower and trading
orders, Aram usually waived as a distinction, but now carried as a
defence. And nothing could be more striking, than the contrast between
the ruffian form of his companion, and the delicate and chiselled beauty
of the Student's features, with their air of mournful intelligence and
serene command, and the slender, though nervous symmetry of his frame.

"Houseman," said Aram, now advancing, as his comrade turned his face
from the flame, towards him; "before we enter on the main subject of our
proposed commune--tell me, were you engaged on the attempt last night
upon Lester's house?"

"By the Fiend, no!" answered Houseman, nor did I learn it till this
morning; it was unpremeditated till within a few hours of the time, by
the two fools who alone planned it. The fact is, that myself and the
greater part of our little band, were engaged some miles off, in the
western part of the county. Two--our general--spies, had been, of
their own accord, into your neighbourhood, to reconnoitre. They marked
Lester's house during the day, and gathered, (as I can say by experience
it was easy to do) from unsuspected inquiry in the village, for they
wore a clown's dress, several particulars which induced them to think it
contained what might repay the trouble of breaking into it. And walking
along the fields, they overheard the good master of the house tell one
of his neighbours of a large sum at home; nay, even describe the place
where it was kept: that determined them;--they feared, (as the old man
indeed observed,) that the sum might be removed the next day; they had
noted the house sufficiently to profit by the description given: they
resolved, then, of themselves, for it was too late to reckon on our
assistance, to break into the room in which the money was kept--though
from the aroused vigilance of the frightened hamlet and the force within
the house, they resolved to attempt no farther booty. They reckoned
on the violence of the storm, and the darkness of the night to prevent
their being heard or seen; they were mistaken--the house was alarmed,
they were no sooner in the luckless room, than--"Well, I know the rest;
was the one wounded dangerously hurt?"

"Oh, he will recover, he will recover; our men are no chickens. But I
own I thought it natural that you might suspect me of sharing in the
attack; and though,