g here, and I have been making the best
preparation in my power to receive them. My little girl Elizabeth and I
will soon get supper ready for you, and make you as welcome as we can.
After your hard day's ride you will then be glad to go to bed, for it is
a trying country to a stranger. We came here most of the way by water,
but it was bad enough even then; and I am told that coming across from
inland it's still worse."

On entering the sitting-room, Jack found a fair, pretty-looking little
girl, of about fourteen or fifteen years of age, busily employed in
spinning, so busy indeed that she did not stop even when she rose from
her seat to make him a courtesy as he entered.

"Ah, yes, Elizabeth is always at work," said Dame Pearson; "it is one of
the secrets of her happiness, never to be idle from morning till night.
To be sure we have plenty to do, and not many people to do it out in
this place, and so a good deal falls to our lot--but come, Elizabeth, we
will go and prepare the supper for Mr Deane and Ned Burdale, who has
come with him; and, perhaps before it is ready, others may make their
appearance."

Saying this, she, followed by the little girl, glided from the room,
leaving Jack to his own reflections. He had not been left alone long
before a knock was heard at the door, and Dame Pearson hurried through
the room to open it. As she did so, a tall dark man, in a rough
riding-suit, with pistols in his belt and a sword by his side, entered
the house with the air of a person accustomed to consider himself at
home wherever he might be. After exchanging a few words with the dame,
while she returned to the kitchen he entered the room, and, seating
himself in a large arm-chair, stretched out his legs, without taking any
notice of Jack, who sat before him, while he commenced tapping his boot
with the end of his sword, as if lost in thought. At length he
condescended to take a glance at his companion.

"Not long arrived in this part of the world, lad, I suppose?" he said,
in a tone which showed he was very indifferent as to what answer he
might receive. "It is possible that you may pass your time pleasantly
enough here, if you are not troubled with the ague, and are fond of the
music of frogs and wild-ducks. From what part of the world do you come,
I ask?"

"I last came from the borders of Scotland; a pretty long ride too!"

"Ah!" exclaimed the stranger; "what matter brought you south?"

"My own good pleasur