use of Mr. Simlins.
The rest you know."

"What did the man run for?"

"There is no thread in my nature that just answers that question," said
Mr. Linden. "I _suppose_ he ran because he was frightened."

"But what should have frightened him?"

"The idea of my displeasure probably," said Mr. Linden smiling. "Have
you forgotten my character for cruelty, Miss Faith?"

"_But_--" said Faith. "Why should he think he had displeased you? He
wasn't near you, was he?"

"Why I am not supposed to be one of those amiable people who like to be
shot," said Mr. Linden in the same tone.

"But how near was he, Mr. Linden?"

"Within gunshot range, of course--the precise distance is not easily
measured at such a moment."

"But if he was not near," said Faith, "how could he think that his shot
had touched you? He couldn't see it--and your running wouldn't seem
like a man seriously injured?"

"He might think I disapproved of discharging a gun at random, in the
public road."

"You don't suppose it could have been done on purpose, Mr. Linden!" she
said in a changed awe-stricken tone.

"I have no right to assume anything of the kind--there are all sorts of
so-called accidents. But Miss Faith! if you look so frightened I shall
begin to think you are an accomplice! What do _you_ know about it?" he
added smiling.

"Nothing--" she said rather sadly, "except a little look of something,
I don't know what, in your face when you said that, Mr. Linden."

"You must not look grave--nor think twice about the matter in any way,"
he said with a sort of kind gravity that met hers. "Is there light
enough for you to read that first chapter of Physical Geography, and
talk to me about it?--it is your turn to talk now."

"Do you mean, aloud?--or to myself, Mr. Linden?" she asked a little
timidly,

"I mean, to me."

Faith did not object, though her colour rose very visibly. She placed
herself to catch the fading light, and read on, talking where it was
absolutely necessary, but sparing and placing her questions so as to
call forth as few words as possible in reply. And becoming engaged in
the interest of the matter she almost forgot her timidity;--not quite,
for every now and then something made it rise to the surface. The
daylight was fading fast, sunlight had already gone, and the wood fire
began to throw its red gleams unchecked; flashing fitfully into the
corners of the room and playing hide and seek with the shadows. A
little rising of t