He
felt that his position was one of more difficulty than before. That
old Jacob Armitage would not last much longer, he was convinced; even
now the poor old man was shrunk away to a skeleton with pain and
disease. That the livelihood to be procured from the forest would be
attended with peril, now that order had been restored, and the forest
was no longer neglected, was certain; and he rejoiced that Humphrey
had, by his assiduity and intelligence, made the farm so profitable as
it promised to be. Indeed he felt that, if necessary, they could live
upon the proceeds of the farm, and not run the risk of imprisonment by
stalking the deer. But he had told the intendant that he considered
the game as the king's property, and he was resolved that he would at
all events run the risk, although he would no longer permit Humphrey
so to do. "If any thing happens to me," thought Edward, "Humphrey will
still be at the cottage to take care of my sisters; and if I am
obliged to fly the country, it will suit well my feelings, as I can
then offer my services to those who still support the king." With
these thoughts and many others he amused himself until, late in the
evening, he arrived at the cottage. He found all in bed except
Humphrey, who had waited for him, and to whom he narrated all that had
passed.
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