nly drew in his little steed, and seemed inclined to
turn back, but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue
his course as before. He accosted me with a slight bow, and, edging
close to the wall, endeavoured to pass on; but I was not so minded.
Seizing his horse by the bridle, I exclaimed,--'Now, Lawrence, I will
have this mystery explained! Tell me where you are going, and what you
mean to do--at once, and distinctly!'

'Will you take your hand off the bridle?' said he, quietly--'you're
hurting my pony's mouth.'

'You and your pony be--'

'What makes you so coarse and brutal, Markham? I'm quite ashamed of
you.'

'You answer my questions--before you leave this spot I will know what you
mean by this perfidious duplicity!'

'I shall answer no questions till you let go the bridle,--if you stand
till morning.'

'Now then,' said I, unclosing my hand, but still standing before him.

'Ask me some other time, when you can speak like a gentleman,' returned
he, and he made an effort to pass me again; but I quickly re-captured the
pony, scarce less astonished than its master at such uncivil usage.

'Really, Mr. Markham, this is too much!' said the latter. 'Can I not go
to see my tenant on matters of business, without being assaulted in this
manner by--?'

'This is no time for business, sir!--I'll tell you, now, what I think of
your conduct.'

'You'd better defer your opinion to a more convenient season,'
interrupted he in a low tone--'here's the vicar.' And, in truth, the
vicar was just behind me, plodding homeward from some remote corner of
his parish. I immediately released the squire; and he went on his way,
saluting Mr. Millward as he passed.

'What! quarrelling, Markham?' cried the latter, addressing himself to
me,--'and about that young widow, I doubt?' he added, reproachfully
shaking his head. 'But let me tell you, young man' (here he put his face
into mine with an important, confidential air), 'she's not worth it!' and
he confirmed the assertion by a solemn nod.

'MR. MILLWARD,' I exclaimed, in a tone of wrathful menace that made the
reverend gentleman look round--aghast--astounded at such unwonted
insolence, and stare me in the face, with a look that plainly said,
'What, this to me!' But I was too indignant to apologise, or to speak
another word to him: I turned away, and hastened homewards, descending
with rapid strides the steep, rough lane, and leaving him to follow as he
please