"
"Nay, Oswald," replied Edward, "remember that I am still Edward
Armitage, and that we are the grandchildren of old Jacob."
"Certainly, sir, I will, for your own sake, not forget that such is to
be supposed to be the case. I assure you, I think it very fortunate
that Jacob has confided the secret to me, as it may be in my power to
be useful. I little thought that I should ever have had my dinner
cooked by the daughter of Colonel Beverley."
They then entered into a long conversation, during which Oswald
expressed his opinion that the old man was sinking fast, and would not
last more than three or four days. Oswald had a bed made up for him on
the floor of the room where Edward and Humphrey slept; and the next
morning they set off, at an early hour, with the pony and cart, loaded
it with venison, and took it across the forest to the keeper's lodge.
It was so late when they arrived, that Edward consented to pass the
night there, and return home on the following morning. Oswald went
into the sitting-room to speak with the intendant of the forest,
leaving Edward in the kitchen with Phoebe, the maid-servant. He told
the intendant that he had brought home some fine venison, and wished
his orders about it. He also stated that he had been assisted by
Edward Armitage, who had brought the venison home for him in his cart,
and who was now in the kitchen, as he would be obliged to pass the
night there; and, on being questioned, he was lavish in his praises of
Edward's skill and knowledge of woodcraft, which he declared to be
superior to his own.
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