"I love the maid," I answered truly; "I would sooner rob myself than her."
"Of course you would, after saving her life. I have not time to say much to you, only take this trifle for the benefit of that poor thing."
From a red leathern bag he took out ten guineas, and hastily plunged them into my hand, not wishing Stew to have knowledge of it. But I was desirous that everybody should have the chance to be witness of it, and so I held my hand quite open. And just at that moment our Bunny snored.
"What! have you children yourself, Llewellyn? I thought that you were an old bachelor."
"An ancient widower, your worship, with a little grandchild; and how to keep her to the mark, with father none and mother none, quite takes me off my head sometimes. Let me light your honour to your carriage."
"Not for a moment, if you please; I wish I had known all this before. Mr Stew never told me a word of this."
"It would have been strange if he had," said I; "he is always so bitter against me, because he can never prove anything."
"Then, Llewellyn, you must oblige me. Spend this trifle on clothes and things for that little snorer."
He gave me a little crisp affair, feeling like a child's caul dried, and I thought it was no more than that. However I touched my brow and thanked him as he went to the carriage-steps; and after consulting all the village, I found it a stanch pledge from the Government for no less than five pounds sterling.