as create

employment till the shooting season commenced, when all would be amusement. The gentle foresters had passed the space which is always visited by ennui and lassitude when the novelty of a new situation is worn off; that over-they were now domesticated, and really did enjoy their woodland home. The weather still continued warm, even sultry; but the shade of the mighty oaks and splendid beeches gave coolness and comfort to the gypsy camp.

time was

A week passed; they were now on the eve of the grand sporting day, with ample licence to range at will. Guns were examined, cleaned, and tried; dogs were brought to the tents with a keeper to attend them; and our young friends were taking wine after their early dinner-they had wisely decided not to keep London hours; and they were in full conversation respecting their approaching sport, which, like all other subjects, was at last nearly exhausted, when Sir Arthur inquired of Delaval the name of the surrounding estate?

66

Astol Manor."

And is that old mansion the dwelling of the Mr. Penruddock you mentioned, Lionel?"

"It is."

"Clifford and I had a peep at it this morning," said Deverel; "and by my faith, I think it was built in the first year of Adam; or, at any rate, it must have been planned by Noah after the flood."

"Or by one of Queen Elizabeth's primitive nobles or gentlemen, for so the story goes."

"Do you mean to assert, Lionel, that yonder odd, quaint, in-and-out sort of a building was not standing before the time of bonny Bess, of roast-beef notoriety? Oh no, it must have been a flood affair; or, if not, it was erected in the Conqueror's reign-perhaps it was his hunting-seat; and he wishing to conciliate all those who came with him, his native subjects, and all those who remained of the old robber-chiefs who came before him, as well as the remnant of the aborigines, had it compounded and moulded by

Roman, Saxon, Danish, and Norman architects, and above all, the old native Britons, or whatever they called themselves."

"Is this nondescript building far from this spot?" inquired Walter.

"The park-paling is close by; but the house may be about half a mile."

"How is it that we have never seen this compound?"

"Because you walked quietly outside the barrier, while Clifford and I coolly leaped overno very great feat, to step over three feet three.” "I should like to have a glance at so curious an edifice. Will you show me the way, Philip?" "O, yes; just come through this break, Tre

vallian."

The

young men were absent about an hour.

'Well," said Rayland, when they returned, "have you viewed the antique?"

“Yes; and some of the antiquities—a pair of the prettiest girls I have seen for a very long

time."

"If

you please to lead the way back again,”

said Walter, “I should like a peep as well as my neighbours,-two beauties in a forest are worth ten in a drawing-room, provided they are not antiquities."

"These rustic maidens cannot be more than seventeen, if so much."

"Then come along; we'll have some gossip with them."

Softly, softly; these are not village damsels who would laugh half an hour for a new cap; they are above farmers' daughters; and I opine are residents at this ancient hall: has this stately 'squire any daughters, Lionel?"

"I really cannot say. He is so completely a

recluse, that we never hear or think of him, but when some forest or parish business calls a meeting of the neighbouring gentlemen, and then he never attends the call."

"Is that allowed ?”

His steward answers for him, with full power to arrange and settle every concern relative to his master."

"He is then a decided misanthrope?"

"It seems very probable. I have heard my mother mention Mr. Penruddock and his wife; while she lived, they were on friendly terms at Beech Park, and my father often lamented the loss Mr. Penruddock was to their limited society: my mother regretted Mrs. Penruddock as a friend whom she had known in her early years; but after her death the gaiety of the Manor House was all over, and if my recollection is correct, the gentleman has never been visible since; probably he took advantage of her death, and made that an excuse for indulging a proud and reserved temper, for such my mother says he was considered by some, while others insisted that he was quite the reverse."

"Not visible! does he shut himself in that dull-looking mansion? why it is the very place for ghosts to inhabit! "

"Of course a house like that must be haunted," said Deverel; “but if the spirits are like those we saw in the park, I care not how many there are, nor how long I might haunt the dwelling