ion conceived to
be a signal injustice, placing the trunk of the tree between Mr. Stirn
and himself, began that task of self-justification which it was equally
impolitic to conceive and imprudent to execute, since, in such a case,
to justify was to recriminate.

"I wonder at you, Master Stirn,--if Mother could hear you! You know it
was you who would not let me go to church; it was you who told me to--"

"Fit a young gentleman, and break the Sabbath," said Mr. Stirn,
interrupting him with a withering sneer. "Oh, yes! I told you to
disgrace his honour the squire, and me, and the parridge, and bring
us all into trouble. But the squire told me to make an example, and I
will!" With those words, quick as lightning flashed upon Mr. Stirn's
mind the luminous idea of setting Lenny in the very stocks which he had
too faithfully guarded. Eureka! the "example" was before him! Here he
could gratify his long grudge against the pattern boy; here, by such
a selection of the very best lad in the parish, he could strike terror
into the worst; here he could appease the offended dignity of Randal
Leslie; here was a practical apology to the squire for the affront put
upon his young visitor; here, too, there was prompt obedience to the
squire's own wish that the stocks should be provided as soon as possible
with a tenant. Suiting the action to the thought, Mr. Stirn made a rapid
plunge at his victim, caught him by the skirt of his jacket; and in a
few seconds more, the jaws of the stocks had opened, and Lenny Fairfield
was thrust therein,--a sad spectacle of the reverses of fortune.
This done, and while the boy was too astounded, too stupefied, by the
suddenness of the calamity, for the resistance he might otherwise have
made,--nay, for more than a few inaudible words,--Mr. Stirn hurried from
the spot, but not without first picking up and pocketing the half-crown
designed for Lenny, and which, so great had been his first emotions,
he had hitherto even almost forgotten. He then made his way towards the
church, with the intention to place himself close by the door, catch
the squire as he came out, whisper to him what had passed, and lead him,
with the whole congregation at his heels, to gaze upon the sacrifice
offered up to the joint powers of Nemesis and Themis.

CHAPTER VII.

Unaffectedly I say it--upon the honour of a gentleman, and the
reputation of an author,--unaffectedly I say it, no words of mine can
do justice to the sensati