"But young Mistress Patience is, I presume," said Edward.
"Yes," replied the man, who, finding that Edward appeared to know so much about the intendant's family, began to be more civil. "Yes, she is at home, for I saw her in the garden this morning."
"And Oswald, is he at home?" rejoined Edward.
"Yes, he is. You appear to know our people, young man; who may you be, if it is a fair question?"
"It would have been a fair question had you treated me fairly," replied Edward; "but as it is no concern of yours, I shall leave you to find it out."
This reply puzzled the man still more; and he now, from the tone of authority assumed by Edward, began to imagine that he had made some mistake, and that he was speaking to a superior, although clad in a forester's dress. He therefore answered humbly, observing that he had only been doing his duty.
Edward walked on without making any reply.
As they arrived within a hundred yards of the intendant's house Edward said—
"I have now arrived at my destination, and am going into that house, as I told you. Do you choose to enter it with me, or will you go to Oswald Partridge and tell him that you have met with Edward Armitage in the forest, and that I should be glad to see him? I believe you are under his orders, are you not?"
"Yes I am," replied the verderer, "and as I suppose that all's right, I shall go and deliver your message."