a stake that, as Mr. Featherhead is 'turning old now, and as
there's a talk, since his last stroke, of his taking the Chiltern
Hundreds, it might be worth your while to look about you. I speak
as a friend, Mr. Hazlewood, and as one who understands the roll;
and if in going over it together--'

'I beg pardon, sir, but I have no views in which your assistance
could be useful.'

'O, very well, perhaps you are right; it's quite time enough, and
I love to see a young gentleman cautious. But I was talking of
your wound. I think I have got a clue to that business--I think I
have, and if I don't bring the fellow to condign punishment--!'

'I beg your pardon, sir, once more; but your zeal outruns my
wishes. I have every reason to think the wound was accidental;
certainly it was not premeditated. Against ingratitude and
premeditated treachery, should you find any one guilty of them, my
resentment will be as warm as your own.' This was Hazlewood's
answer.

'Another rebuff,' thought Glossin; 'I must try him upon the other
tack.' 'Right, sir; very nobly said! I would have no more mercy on
an ungrateful man than I would on a woodcock. And now we talk of
sport (this was a sort of diverting of the conversation which
Glossin had learned from his former patron), I see you often carry
a gun, and I hope you will be soon able to take the field again. I
observe you confine yourself always to your own side of the
Hazleshaws burn. I hope, my dear sir, you will make no scruple of
following your game to the Ellangowan bank; I believe it is rather