much like weighing and balancing the down of Fitzjocelyn's own
favourite thistle; the profusion, the unsubstantiality, and the
volatility being far too similar; and there was something positively
sad in the solicitous heed taken of such utter heedlessness.

The reigning idea was the expedition to Illershall, and the excellent
condition of the work-people under his new friend the superintendent.
Forgetful that mines were a tender subject, the eager speaker became
certain that copper must exist in the neighbourhood, and what an
employment it would afford to all the country round. 'Marksedge must
be the very place, the soil promises metallic veins, the discovery
would be the utmost boon to the people. It would lead to industry
and civilization, and counteract all the evils we have brought on
them. Mary, do you remember Marksedge, the place of exile?'

'Not that I know of.'

'No; we were too young to understand the iniquity. In the last
generation, it was not the plan to stone Naboth, but to remove him.
Great people could not endure little people; so, by way of kindness,
our whole population of Ormersfield, except a few necessary
retainers, were transported bodily from betwixt the wind and our
nobility, located on a moor beyond our confines, a generous gift to
the poor-rates of Bletchynden, away from church, away from work, away
from superintendence, away from all amenities of the poor man's
life!'

This was one of the improvements to which Mr. Dynevor had prompted
the last Earl; but Louis did not know whom he was cutting, as he
uttered this tirade, with a glow on his cheek and eye, but with his