vable, the larger the branch became, the worse
he began to think of his master, and the better of himself. Every
peep he took through the broken hedge increased his desire to get
out into the wilderness, and made the thoughts of the castle more
irksome to him. He was continually repeating to himself, "I wonder
what Mr. Flatterwell can have to say so much to my advantage? I see
he does not wish to hurt my master, he only wishes to serve me." As
the hour of meeting, however, drew near, the master's orders now and
then came across Parley's thoughts. So to divert them, he took up
THE BOOK. He happened to open it at these words: "My son, if sinners
entice thee, consent thou not." For a moment his heart failed him.
"If this admonition should be sent on purpose?" said he; but no,
'tis a bugbear. My master told me that if I went to the bounds I
should get over the hedge. Now I went to the utmost limits, and did
_not_ get over. Here conscience put in: "Yes, but it was because you
were watched." "I am sure," continued Parley, "one may always stop
where one will, and this is only a trick of my master's to spoil
sport. So I will even hear what Mr. Flatterwell has to say so much
to my advantage. I am not obliged to follow his counsels, but there
can be no harm in hearing them."

Flatterwell prevailed on the rest of the robbers to make no public
attack on the castle that night. "My brethren," said he, "you now
and then fail in your schemes, because you are for violent
beginnings, while my smooth, insinuating measures hardly ever miss.
You come blustering and roaring, and frighten people, and set them
on their guard. You inspire them with terror of _you_, while my
whole scheme is to make them think well of _themselves_, and ill of
their master. If I once get them to entertain hard thoughts of him,
and high thoughts of themselves, my business is done, and they fall
plump into my snares. So let this delicate affair alone to me:
Parley is a softly fellow, he must not be frightened, but cajoled.
He is the very sort of a man to succeed with; and worth a hundred of
your sturdy, sensible fellows. With them we want strong arguments
and strong temptations; but with such fellows as Parley, in whom
vanity and sensuality are the leading qualities (as, let me tell
you, is the case with far the greater part) flattery and a promise
of ease and pleasure, will do more than your whole battle array. If
you will let me manage, I will get you all into th