"

"I did not mean that. I meant in defending yourself," said Sir Morton
austerely. "There, that will do: I want to go on studying this book."

But Ralph was fidgety from the state of his wound, and went on again.

"Couldn't the old trouble be settled by law?"

"Pooh, boy! As I have told you before, the law does not reach here
among these mountainous wilds. I am the law here. I could settle the
matter; but that man Eden would never agree to what I said."

"And I suppose, father, that you would never agree to what he considered
was the proper law."

"Certainly not, Ralph," said Sir Morton impatiently. "But why are you
going on like this?"

"Because I was thinking again how easy it would be if you and Sir Edward
Eden were to join and attack that Captain Purlrose and his men. You
would be able to drive the gang out of the neighbourhood."

"I shall be able to drive this fellow out of the district, my boy,
without the help of the Edens, who ought to be driven out too, for they
are very little better than Captain Purlrose and his men. Stop, sir;
what are you going to do?"

"Go out, father. It's so dull sitting here."

"You had better stay in: the sun is hot, and you have been rather
feverish. I want you to grow quite well."

"So do I, father," said the lad, smiling.

"Then do what Master Rayburn advised you. Keep perfectly quiet."

"But it is such weary work doing nothing, father. I'm sure I should get
better if I were out in the fresh air. Ah, there is Minnie;" for just
then his sister came to the open window, and looked in.

"Why don't you come out and sit in the shade here, Ralph?" she said.
"Come and read with me."

Ralph glanced at his father, who shrugged his shoulders and nodded, as
much as to say, "Well, be off;" and the lad went out into the
castle-yard, and then on to the little terrace where the new basin and
fountain were looking bright and attractive, though still wanting in the
fish Ralph was to have procured.

Brother and sister sat down in a shady nook, and watched the glint of
the river through the trees far below, looked over the lovely prospect
of hill and dale; and finally Minnie's eyes rested upon the shoulder of
the great shaley hill at whose foot the encounter with the disbanded
soldiers had taken place.

"When is father going to lead the men to drive out those dreadful
people?" said the girl at last.

"I don't know: soon, I hope. When I'm better."

"Well, you are b