Master
Heatherstone replied, 'Leave it to me, my dear;' and then asked me
what account Corbould gave of himself, and his falling into the pit. I
told him that Corbould stated that he was following a deer, which he
had severely wounded about noonday, and having no dog with him he
could not overtake it, although he knew by its bleeding track that it
could not hold out much longer. That he followed it until nightfall,
and had it in view and close to him, when he fell into the pit."
"Well, the story was not badly made up," said Edward, "only for _a
deer_ read _man:_ and what did the intendant say to that?"
"He said that he believed you, and that Corbould's story was false--
as, if it had been a stag that he was following, no one would have
known that he had fallen into the pit, and he would have remained
there till now. I quite forgot to say, that when the intendant said
that he wished to call at your cottage, the young mistress said that
she wished to go with him, as you had told her that you had two
sisters living with you, and she wished very much to see them and make
their acquaintance."
"I am afraid that we shall not be able to prevent this visit, Oswald,"
replied Edward. "He is in command here, and the forest is in his
charge.
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