. So, beat North Wood which way you will,
them artful old cocks will run ahead of ye, or double back into them
larches. And you see Mr. Bassett is not a gentleman, like Sir Charles;
he is always a-mouching about, and the biggest poacher in the parish;
and so he drops on to 'em out of bounds."

"Is there no way of stopping all this, sir?"

"We might station a dozen beaters ahead. They would most likely get
shot; but I don't think as they'd mind that much if you had set your
heart on it, my lady. Dall'd if I would, for one."

"Oh, Mr. Moss! Heaven forbid that any man should be shot for me. No,
not for all the pheasants in the world. I'll try and think of some
other way. I should like to see the place. _May_ I?"

"Yes, my lady, and welcome."

"How shall I get to it, sir?"

"You can ride to the 'Woodman's Rest,' my lady, and it is scarce a
stone's-throw from there; but 'tis baddish traveling for the likes of
you."

She appointed an hour, rode with her groom to the public-house, and
thence was conducted through bush, through brier, to the place where
her husband had been so annoyed.

Moss's comments became very intelligible to her the moment she saw the
place. She said very little, however, and rode home.

Next day she blushed high, and asked Sir Charles for a hundred pounds
to spend upon herself.

Sir Charles smiled, well pleased, and gave it her, and a kiss into the
bargain.

"Ah! but," said she, "that is not all."

"I am glad of it. You spend too little money on yourself--a great deal
too little."

"That is a complaint you won't have long to make. I want to cut down a
few trees. _May_ I?"

"Going to build?"

"Don't ask me. It is for myself."

"That is enough. Cut down every stick on the estate if you like. The
barer it leaves us the better."

"Ah, Charles, you promised me not. I shall cut with great discretion, I
assure you."

"As you please," said Sir Charles. "If you want to make me happy, deny
yourself nothing. Mind, I shall be angry if you do."

Soon after this a gaping quidnunc came to Sir Charles and told him
Lady Bassett was felling trees in North Wood.

"And pray who has a better right to fell trees in any wood of mine?"

"But she is building a wall."

"And who has a better right to build a wall?"

With the delicacy of a gentleman he would not go near the place after
this till she asked him; and that was not long, She came into his
study, all beaming, and invited him to a ride. She