reverence, or gratitude, to warm the hearts of the
tenantry, or make their lips eloquent; and not a few were glad when the
day was drawing to a close.

Towards evening, the young lord mounted his horse, and rode in the
direction of the much admired neighbouring estate. Wishing to examine
some particular spots minutely, and to revel in the contemplation of the
whole without being disturbed, he was not even accompanied by a groom.

The sun was going down in all its glory, casting tall shadows of the
trees across the road, when it peeped from the clouds of crimson and gold
that encircled it. The young lord came to a field dotted with the
graceful wheat-sheaves, for it was harvest time, and knowing that if he
rode across it, he should be saved half a mile of road, he determined to
do so. Two men were lounging at the gate through which he passed. One
of them was Thomas Bennett, whom circumstances had induced to become a
labourer on the estate, and he it was who remarked, "He'll be thrown,
that's my opinion; those fine-paced gentlemen's horses are not used to
make their own roads across a corn field."

"Then why don't you warn my lord?" said the other.

"Warn him!" replied Bennett, who it must be owned, had grown up a violent
tempered vindictive man; "you have not lived long in these parts, or you
would have known better than ask that question. If it were Master
William, now, I should make free to seize the bridle--but as for my lord
there--why, I have known him man and boy, and I'll answer for it, no one
has love enough towards him to warn him from any danger." And so saying
they both walked rapidly away.

Bennett's words were indeed true, for scarcely had the young lord
proceeded a hundred yards, when the horse, unused to such uneven ground,
stumbled and fell, throwing his unhappy master. Nor was this all, for
Charles had remained entangled in the stirrup: he was dragged along the
stubble a considerable distance, with a broken arm and fearful bruises,
till, stunned by a kick from the horse, he became insensible. Probably
the saddle-girth at the same moment gave way and released him, for the
unconscious animal trotted home, and was discovered with disordered
trappings at the park gates.

It was evident some accident had happened, and servants were sent out in
all directions. The first conscious perception Charles had was of waking
to excruciating agony, and finding himself supported on men's shoulders
along t