Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/201

 Humphrey nodded, and turned away, and Edward re-entered the cottage.

He found the Intendant was standing over the corpse; he had removed the coverlid, and was looking mournfully down on the face disfigured with blood. Perceiving the entrance of Edward, he again took his seat at the table, and after a pause said—

"Edward Armitage, that you have been brought up very superior to your station in life, is certain; and that you are loyal, bold, and resolute, is equally so: you have put me under an obligation which I never can repay, even if you allowed me to exert myself in your behalf. I take this opportunity of acknowledging it; and now allow me to say, that for these times you are much too frank and impetuous. This is no time for people to give vent to their feelings and opinions. Even I am as much surrounded with spies as others, and am obliged to behave myself accordingly. Your avowed attachment to the King's cause has prevented me from showing that more than cordiality that I really feel for you, and to which you are in every way entitled."

"I cannot conceal my opinions, Sir; I was brought up in the house of a loyal cavalier, and never will be otherwise."

"Granted—why should why should you be? but do you not yourself see that you do the cause more harm than good by thus avowing your opinions when such avowal is useless? If every other man in the county, who is of your opinion, was to express himself, now that your cause is hopeless, as you have done, the prisons would be crowded, the executions would be daily, and the cause would be in proportion weakened by the loss of the most daring. 'Bide your time,' is a good motto, and I recommend it to you. You must feel that, however we may be at variance in our opinions, Edward Armitage, my hand and my authority never can be used against one to whom I am so indebted; and feeling this, you compel me in the presence of others to use a harshness and coldness towards you, contrary—wholly contrary to what, you may