where the family we spake of lives, and there you'll see Mrs.
Lindsay and the lady I mention."

Woodward, in fact, knew not what to make of his guide; he found him
inscrutable, and deemed it useless to attempt the extortion of any
further intelligence from him. The latter was ignorant that Mrs.
Lindsay's son was expected home, as was every member of that gentleman's
family. He had, in fact, given them no information of his return.
The dishonest fraud which he had practised upon his uncle, and the
apprehension that that good old man had transmitted an account of his
delinquency to his relatives, prevented him from writing, lest he might,
by subsequent falsehoods, contradict his uncle, and thereby involve
himself in deeper disgrace. His uncle, however, was satisfied with
having got rid of him, and forbore to render his relations unhappy by
any complaint of his conduct. His hope was, that Woodward's expulsion
from his house, and the withdrawal of his affections from him, might,
upon reflection, cause him to turn over a new leaf--an effort which
would have been difficult, perhaps impracticable, had he transmitted to
them a full explanation of his perfidy and ingratitude.

A thought now occurred to Woodward with reference to himself. He saw
that his guide, after having pointed out his father's house to him, was
still keeping him company.

"Perhaps you are coming out of your way," said he; "you have been
good enough to show me Mr. Lindsay's residence, and I have no further
occasion for your services. I thank you: take this and drink my
health;",and as he spoke he offered him some silver.

"Many thanks, sir," replied the man, in a far different tone of voice,
"many thanks; but I never resave or take payment for an act of civility,
especially from any gentleman on his way to the family of Mr. Lindsay.
And now, sir, I will tell you honestly and openly that there is not
a better gentleman alive this day than he is. Himself, his son, and
daughter* are loved and honored by all that know them; and woe betide
the man that 'ud dare to crock (crook) his finger at one of them."

* His daughter Jane was with a relation in England, and does
not appear in this romance.

"You seem to know them very well."

"I have a good right, sir, seein' that I have been in the family ever
since I was a gorson."

"And is Mrs. Lindsay as popular as her husband?"

"She is his wife, sir--the mother of his children, and my misthress;
afth