"We have venison enough, and the princely creature shall escape," he added, turning to the other. "By the bow of Diana! we have well done for a four hours' hunt with but a brace of dogs—though ye are noble brutes, both Chasseur and Di!" The dogs seemed to comprehend instinctively his words of praise, and, with a glad whine sliding along to his feet, at a sign of encouragement bounded upon him with joyful barks. "Hist! be still! Ye are over rude because I give ye a word and a nod."
"They must come in for a portion of our thanks from the earl when he gets his game."
"And a feast they shall have, for they have shown their true Irish blood."
"You speak of Ireland often, sir. You must love it."
"I do." He then said quickly, "You alone must he thank, Edwin, that he gets even a haunch instead of nearly a score of fat bucks such as strew our decks yonder. It was well thought of, as this bucanier had escaped us on this cruise, to put in at this famous deer island, and, by supplying the governor's table for the month to come, make him forget our failure. I would the stag had not escaped, nevertheless, for I would gladly have made a present of it to his fair daughter. You sigh, Edwin!"
"Did I?"
"By the bow of Dan Cupid, did you! You are full young to think of maiden's love."
"Am I?" said the youth, absently, and with an abstracted air.
"Truly thou must be in love, Edwin," said the other, with a kindly laugh, that became his manly and open features. "I marvel who it may be. You shake your head! Well," he added, laughing, "so long as it is not my noble Kate, I care not who it be. I knew a maiden once whom I would have loved—so gentle, fair, and good, besides nobleborn and generous was she—if I had not loved anoth—"
"Who—who this maiden?" he said, abruptly interrupting him, and laying his hand upon the arm of the speaker with surprising energy.