Forester sat beside the bed, reproaching himself bitterly; and he was yet
more sensible of his folly, when he heard, that the boys, whose part he
had hastily taken, had frequently amused themselves with playing
mischievous tricks upon this inoffensive man, who declared, that he had
never purposely kicked their marbles out of the ring, but had always
implored them to make way for him with all the civility in his power.

Forester resolved, that before he ever again attempted to do justice, he
would, at least, hear both sides of the question.



THE ALARM.


Forester would willingly have sat up all night with M. Pasgrave, to
foment his ankle from time to time, and, if possible, to assuage the
pain: but the man would not suffer him to sit up, and about twelve
o'clock he retired to rest. He had scarcely fallen asleep, when his door
opened, and Archibald Mackenzie roused him, by demanding, in a peremptory
tone, how he could sleep when the whole family were frightened out of
their wits by his pranks?

"Is the dancing-master worse? What's the matter?" exclaimed Forester in
great terror.

Archihald replied, that he was not talking or thinking about the
dancing-master, and desired Forester to make haste and dress himself, and
that he would then soon hear what was the matter.