After London

to Co

ent of the tackle and the care necessary to keep the hook and line from catching in the branches had quickly proved too much for his patience. He lay on the

?" he said presently. "What

three

ake it so big?

haps I want to put

But where are you g

he stone

iver down yonder, and a hollow willow has fallen in. Besides, the s

all

t six inches deep by herself, and I'm su

awkw

r? Then you might perhaps get down the river by hauling it past the shallows an

ld be Sir Co

much his heir as you now" (looking at his sinewy arm); "at least, he doesn't listen as

st

eem very coo

going down

ere are y

the

-let me see, to Heron Bay it's quite fifte

ut the canoe

dn't you tel

ish anyone to know.

on water, are you driving at? Where

n it is ready. Meantime, I rely on you to keep si

rd. But why did you

enough. They can't

re to, I can't imagine), why not

They will only go theirs.

st lot I know. Still, that would not have h

ess does no

speak?"

e your

iberately; he was not a good workman. Oliver watched his progress with contempt; he could have put it into shape in half the time.

"that that canoe will not fl

ly. But he picked it up again, and said nothing. This silence had more influence upon O

could manage it between us, if you don

I should lik

you with the cart

looked up idly at the white flecks

not to give me a comm

ble power, the Prince had spies everywhere. He was not a cruel man, nor a benevolent, neither clever nor foolish, neither strong nor weak;

what he might do towards night, for there was no vein of will or bias running through his character. In fact, he lacked character; he was all uncertainty, except in jealousy of hi

these erratic severities to the suspected nobles, proclamations giving privileges to the people, and removing taxes. But in a few days these were imposed again, and men who dared to murmur were be

th lance and sword, his acknowledged courage, and his noble birth, entitled him to a command, however lowly it might be. But he was still in the ranks, and not the slighte

ed under th

of thing," remarked Felix.

ason. If we had any money, or influence, it would be very different. B

notary's at the house yest

scoundrel, when he can squeeze no more interest out

war and wants money. The Blue Chamber will say, 'Where can we ge

e chance for me. I would go with you in your canoe, but you are going yo

dee

n't; you're

raid it

a pause, in a lower voi

purse and showed hi

"Lend them to me. I'll try them on the board to-night. Fancy me putting down copper! It's intolerable" (working

forest, leaving his

the brothers were together, and always with the same result of anger. In earlier days Sir Constans had been as forward in all warlike exercises as Oliver was now, and being pos

y was the beginning of his difficulties. During a long siege, he invented a machine for casting large stones against the walls, or rather put it together from th

which consisted mainly of battering-rams, could not endure to see their prestige vanishing. They caballed, traduced the Baron, and he fell into disgrace. This disgrace, as he was assured by secret messages from the

debts which had since been constantly increasing. He was then released, but was not for some two years permitted to approach the Court. Meantime, men of not half his descent,

rom the palace. By slow degrees he had sunk out of sight, occupying himself more and more with mechanical inventions, and with garden

them, or whether it was owing to all these things combined, certain it is that there was not a man on the estate that would not have died for him. Certain it is, too, that he was beloved by the people of the entire district, and m

e anything against him lest the people should rise, and it was doubtful, indeed, if the very retainers of the nobles would attack the Old House, if ordered. Thus the Baron's weakn

deavouring to alienate the affections of the people by representing him as a magician, a thing clearly proved by his machines and engines, which must have been designed by som

ndifference, he had at last obtained an appointment in that section of the Treasury which received the dues upon merchandise, and regulated the imposts. He was but a messenger at every man's call; his pay was not sufficient to obtain his food, still it was an advance, and he was i

essly guarded, had become a very garden. The cattle had increased, and were of the best kind, the horses were celebrated and sought for, the sheep valued, the crops the wonder of