ntend to stay cooped up here. I promise to be under
orders, and not move an inch in any way without permission.'

'And I make the same promise,' said Frederick eagerly.

'And I can answer for both,' said Mr. Stanhope warmly, 'that neither of
those young gentlemen will fail to keep his word.'

'Thank you, dear sir,' said the youths in the same breath.

'Mother, grandmother, you don't wish us to stay here,' said William;
'you would not like to see us milk-sops?'

'Certainly not, my dears,' said the dowager. 'While you move under your
father's directions your mother and I can have nothing to fear. Courage
is a virtue indispensible in a man and a gentleman, and like other
virtues is confirmed by exercise. You need not walk into the tiger's
mouth, you know; but if you find him likely to do mischief, and you can
prevent it, I hope you will retain your self-possession so as to make
sure aim, and pull your trigger firmly.'

'Never fear, grandmother; never fear, dear mother,' cried the youths.

'Good-bye, Bill; good-bye, Freddy,' said all the sisters.

'Now, father, shall we go?'

'What say you, Mr. Stanhope,' asked the baronet, 'will you make a sortie
with us.'

'Most willingly,' replied the tutor. 'I have a brace of trusty pistols
in prime condition, and with a gun shall feel well equipped.'

'Well, then, ladies, adieu for the present,' said Sir William; 'you had
better go up to the observatory; you may see all our movements from
thence.'

'An excellent thought,' replied Lady Clairmont; and away went the female
party to their high station, while the gentlemen, well furnished with
arms, walked out into the park, looking with keen inquiring eyes on
every side as they went on. No enemy, however, appeared, but in about
ten minutes, having taken the direction of the western lodge, they were
surprised by the sight of a coach-and-four coming rapidly along.

'By Jove, 'tis the Clairmont livery! 'tis Uncle Geoffrey, as I am
alive!' exclaimed Sir William. 'What day of the month is this?'

'The seventeenth,' said Frederick.

'His letter says he shall be here on the eighteenth,' rejoined the
baronet. 'Well, he must put up with what he can get for his dinner, and
thank his own want of punctuality for his bad fare.'

'Oh, poor Sheldon, what a fuss he will be in,' said Frederick laughing.
'The turbot is taking his pastime in the waters, and the pheasant in the
woods. Unfortunate Uncle Geff!'

At this moment a tremendous s