uld not have fired had he known the dog was so useful to me. He told
you as much. If I forgive him, you must."

"I may forgive, but I do not forget," said Dick. "If he keeps to his
word, I'll believe that he did not intend to do the cruel act. However,
we must put poor Faithful in his grave, and if I do not make a vow to be
revenged on Lord Reginald, it is because you are here to prevent me,
Janet."

"I would that you had a higher motive than that," said Mrs Hargrave.
"Now, Janet, you must return to the house; I promised you'd stop but one
minute; Dick will soon have finished his task, and then he'll come in to
supper. Father will soon be home, Dick, so don't delay."

Dick, having at length brought himself to place the dog in its grave,
hastily shovelled in the earth, muttering as he did so, "He'd better not
cross me again; if he does he'll have to repent it. Lie there, poor
dog!" he added, as he finished the work. "I've a mind to put up a
tombstone, and write on it, `Wantonly killed by Lord Reginald Oswald.'"

On entering the cottage, he found that his father, having come in, had
heard what had happened. He was thankful at all events that he had not
had to break the news to Janet. Farmer Hargrave said what he thought
would pacify his son, and declared his belief that the young lord had
not killed the dog with any malicious intent.

Dick pressed his lips together and made no reply. He could not trust
himself. They were just finishing supper when a knock was heard at the
door, and Dick, opening it, Mr Gooch the bailiff entered.

"Good evening, farmer; good evening, dame; somewhat stormy weather," he
said, throwing back his wet coat, and placing his dripping hat on the
floor, as he took the seat offered him. "I didn't think it was coming
on to be so bad, until just before sunset. It blows hard enough now,
and the rain is coming down in torrents, but I wanted to talk over that
affair between us, so I came out in spite of the weather."

"What have you got to say, Mr Gooch?" asked the farmer. "You know as
well as I do that I have no wish to leave this farm. It will be a heavy
loss to me to give it up, and I am determined to abide by my rights."

"Very good, Mr Hargrave, very good," said the bailiff, in a bland tone.
"His lordship doesn't want to be hard upon you, and if you have the
right to remain, he would be the last man to ask you to turn out, but as
I before told you, you have not the right, and if