"
"You told my father that you lived upon your farm?"
"We do."
"Is it a large farm?"
"No; very small."
"And does that support you?"
"That and killing wild cattle has lately."
"Yes, and killing deer also, until lately?"
"You have guessed right."
"You were brought up at Arnwood, you told my father; did you not?"
"Yes, I was brought up there, and remained there until the death of
Colonel Beverley."
"And you were educated, were you not?"
"Yes; the chaplain taught me what little I do know."
"Then, if you were brought up in the house and educated by the
chaplain, surely Colonel Beverley never intended you for a forester?"
"He did not; I was to have been a soldier as soon as I was old enough
to bear arms."
"Perhaps you are distantly related to the late Colonel Beverley."
"No; I am not _distantly_ related," replied Edward, who began to
feel uneasy at this close cross-examination; "but still, had Colonel
Beverley been alive, and the king still required his services, I have
no doubt that I should have been serving under him at this time. And
now, Mistress Patience, that I have answered so many questions of
yours, may I be permitted to ask a little about yourself in return?
Have you any brothers?"
"None; I am an only child.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199