unning and shrewdness passed along his sharp and peculiar features.

As he busied himself with preparations for the guest's supper, it was
impossible to avoid observing his quick and energetic movements, spare
body, dwarfish stature, and long apish arms, that appeared in greater
disproportion when viewed beside the now sedate and elevated carriage,
the muscular and finely-developed form of the bulky trooper. And, in
good sooth, it seemed that Roupall little relished the extraordinary
civility shown to the new comer, both by mother and son. Had the
stranger been disposed to hold any converse with him, matters might have
been different; but he neither asked nor required information--sitting,
after his return from the shed in which he had seen his horse sheltered,
with his legs stretched out in front of the warm fire, his arms folded
on his bosom, and his eyes fixed on the blazing wood that lent a
brilliant light to the surrounding objects--giving a simple, though not
uncourteous reply of "Yea," or "Nay," to the leading questions
occasionally put to him by his rough, yet inquisitive companion. At
length, when the rashers were dressed and deposited on the table,
flanked on either side with a flagon of Canary and of Gascoigne, and the
traveller had done ample justice to his cheer, he, with a conciliating
smile and bow, wished the widow and Roupall "Good night," and followed
Robin up the ladder, observing that his rest must be very brief, as he
had occasion to start early next morning, and begging the good widow and
her friend to finish the draught of her own excellent wine, to which he
feared to render farther justice. Some time elapsed ere Robin returned;
and when he did, he perceived that Roupall was in no gentle humour.

"Have you warmed the chicken's nest, and taken good and tender care of
the gentle bird, according to orders, Robin? Gadzooks! I see so many
cocks with hens' feathers now-a-days--sweet-scented Cavaliers, who could
no more draw a trigger than they could mount the moon, that I think Hugh
Dalton must line the Fire-fly with miniver to bring them safely over. A
murrain take such fellows! say I--close-mouthed, long-eared scoundrels.
D--n it! I love a frank heart----"

"And a bloody hand, Master Roupall."

"Stuff! stuff! Robin; few of either party can show clean hands these
times; but does yon gallant come from over sea?"

"It might be that he dropped from the sky, for that is over the sea, you
know."

"Fau