notion. Where is the glory of ruling men's minds,
and commanding their admiration, when a greater enthusiasm is excited by
mere bodily agility, than was kindled by the most wonderful emanations
of a genius little less than divine?' I have never forgotten the
impression of that evening."

Lester attempted to combat the truth of the illustration, and thus
conversing, they passed on through the village green, when the gaunt
form of Corporal Bunting arrested their progress.

"Beg pardon, Squire," said he, with a military salute; "beg pardon, your
honour," bowing to Aram; "but I wanted to speak to you, Squire, 'bout
the rent of the bit cot yonder; times very hard--pay scarce--Michaelmas
close at hand--and--"

"You desire a little delay, Bunting, eh?--Well, well, we'll see about
it, look up at the Hall to-morrow; Mr. Walter, I know wants to consult
you about letting the water from the great pond, and you must give us
your opinion of the new brewing."

"Thank your honour, thank you; much obliged I'm sure. I hope your honour
liked the trout I sent up. Beg pardon, Master Aram, mayhap you would
condescend to accept a few fish now and then; they're very fine in these
streams, as you probably know; if you please to let me, I'll send some
up by the old 'oman to-morrow, that is if the day's cloudy a bit."

The Scholar thanked the good Bunting, and would have proceeded onward,
but the Corporal was in a familiar mood.

"Beg pardon, beg pardon, but strange-looking dog here last
evening--asked after you--said you were old friend of his--trotted off
in your direction--hope all was right, Master?--augh!"

"All right!" repeated Aram, fixing his eyes on the Corporal, who had
concluded his speech with a significant wink, and pausing a full moment
before he continued, then as if satisfied with his survey, he added:

"Ay, ay, I know whom you mean; he had known me some years ago. So you
saw him! What said he to you of me?"

"Augh! little enough, Master Aram, he seemed to think only of satisfying
his own appetite; said he'd been a soldier."

"A soldier, humph!"

"Never told me the regiment, though,--shy--did he ever desert, pray,
your honour?"

"I don't know;" answered Aram, turning away. "I know little, very
little, about him!" He was going away, but stopped to add: "The man
called on me last night for assistance; the lateness of the hour a
little alarmed me. I gave him what I could afford, and he has now
proceeded on his journey.