120 Turnaside Cottage.

suffer him to do. So the burning of the house it-
self was agreed upon, the share that each one was
to take, the place and time of mecting, and the
day, which was to be Friday, this being Wednesday
night. “ Bramble,’ said one of the men, “I do
not like that boy of yours always hanging about
here; could not you send him off somewhere for
a bit?”

“ And draw suspicion on myself by the very act,”
replied my father. “ No, no; the boy is safe enough ;
he is not one to notice things until they are thrust
under his nose. And even if he did sce there was
something up, he has that sort of fecling natural to
him, that he would rather die than get me into mis-
chief—like his mother.”

“Well, if any harm comes through that lad, it
will be your doing, mind,” returned the other ; and
then they all moved to take a parting glass.

I had stood all this time cold and unmoved as
though I were a stone and not myself, only wonder-
ing a little at my own coldness. But the mention
of my mother, and of the devotion my father
supposed me to feel towards himself, went through
me like a dart from an accusing conscience. I was
so dizzy by the time I reached my door, I could
scarcely collect my wits sufficiently to shut it, and
to tumble, wet as I was, into bed.