Rhoda Fleming -- Volume 2

p the green slope he perceived Farmer Fleming, supported by a tall young man; and when the pair were nearer, he had the gratification o

of being at the bottom of numerous hypothetical cabals to injure and oust the farmer from his possession. But if Naboth came with his vineyard in his han

e squire's, making the most of it. On the contrary, according to his heathenish reading of some of the patriarchal doings, there was more to be said in his favour than not, if he increased h

looking well? There's a good show of green in the fields from my w

r will to be round about, squire. If you'll l

aper, Fleming? In that case you'd bet

don't know that it have." Th

interruption," Robert counselled,

h cases, when well acted (as lords of money can do-squires equally with usurers), may be

er, gravely. Whereto replying, "Oh! well, c

e seats. Now then, what is it? And if I make a face, just oblige me by thinking nothing about it, for

himself into his arm-ch

standing, and th

re. I've got a fact to bring to you

e by a pain he had anticipated,

box. Here's a murder committed:-Are you the guilty perso

le for the sins of his ch

don't; that fellow who preaches there-I forget his name-stands out for just the other way. You are responsible, he swears. Pay your son'

er at the theatre in London. She saw me, and saw her sister with me. She disappeared. It's a hard thing for a man to be saying

uely, as if waiting for the question to follow, but meeting the fa

hat to yo

-everybody knows that. I paid his debts once, and I've finished with him. Don't c

r, and I'm here to ask you to make your son tell me where she's to be fou

"Why do you come to me? I'm not responsible for the doings of the dog. I'm sorry for you, i

seeking for my daughter, and I s

; "that shows his habits; I can't say m

oked helpless

to hear it. I've got a son who never went right; and it's no comfort to me, upon my word. If you were to see the bills and the letters I receive! but I don't carry my grievances to my neighbours. I should think, F

humbleness which characterized his receptio

e. I'm a broken man: but I want my poor lost girl, and, by God, responsible for your son or not,

d a scrap of paper on th

m perched on a stool, and a good drubbing won't hurt him. You've my hearty permission, I can assure you: you may say so. 'Boyne's Bank.

, on a visit down into Hampshire, one of the young gentlemen informed me; Fairly Par

nk I'm properly punished for that fact." T

d in advance

ng in these parts of the country, and he would leave it, if he thought fit; but you can't separate your name from your son's-begging you to excuse the liberty I take in m

uire exclaimed,

How far he's guilty before Mr. Fleming we can't tell as yet; but if Mr. Fleming holds him guilty of an offence, your son 'll bear the consequences, and what's done will be done thorou

infernal fellow who goes by the title of Reverend, down below there. That'll do, tha

a screw, sir," s

y will you

hed with he

be a rascal worthy of transportation. You think Mr. Fleming came to you for money. Look at this old man, whose only fault is that he's too full of kindness; he came to you just for help to find his daughter, with whom your rascal of a son was last seen, and you swear he's come to rob you of money. Don't you know yourself a fattened cur, squire though you be, and called gentleman? England's a good

the farmer had brought there: and then asked in a very reasonable manner what he could do-what measures he could adopt to aid the farmer in finding his child. Robert hung modestly in the background while the farmer laboured on with a few sentences to explain the case, and finally the squire said

rnon, and hear the truth from his estimable offspring, whom he again stigmatized as a curse terrible to him as his gouty foot, but nevertheless just as little to be lef

but there's no telling where gossips g

on?" cried

daug

d more cheerfully. "I'll go down to Fai

erate rashness of his behaviour, and pointed out how he, the farmer, by being patient and p

farmer repeated frequently; "I

to be found, I'll find her, and I can't do it by sticking here. Give me three weeks. The land's asleep. Old Gammon can har

e old man," said the

would you see so ma

th' old man hard; you s

to charity. I'd forgive the squire and many ano

girl Rhoda for pu

rewed in

id. "Only it makes me fe

ed this when they h

"but Rhoda shall get you some for you to try,

da, and she stood a

ness, "I drink a lot, and the stuff must be strong. I'm very much obliged to you, Miss Rhoda, for what you're so kind as to offer to satisfy my thirst, and you can't give better, and do

ounced his appro

ions silent as things that feel the thunder-cloud. Before sunset Robert was gone on his long walk to the station, and Rhoda felt a woman's great env