 said Hugh. »What do you talk of, master? Who was it set me
on?«
    »Who?« said Mr. Chester, wheeling sharply round, and looking full at him for
the first time. »I didn't hear you. Who was it?«
    Hugh faltered, and muttered something which was not audible.
    »Who was it? I am curious to know,« said Mr. Chester, with surpassing
affability. »Some rustic beauty perhaps? But be cautious, my good friend. They
are not always to be trusted. Do take my advice now, and be careful of
yourself.« With these words he turned to the glass again, and went on with his
toilet.
    Hugh would have answered him that he, the questioner himself, had set him
on, but the words stuck in his throat. The consummate art with which his patron
had led him to this point, and managed the whole conversation, perfectly baffled
him. He did not doubt that if he had made the retort which was on his lips when
Mr. Chester turned round and questioned him so keenly, he would straightway have
given him into custody and had him dragged before a justice with the stolen
property upon him; in which case it was as certain he would have been hung as it
was that he had been born. The ascendency which it was the purpose of the man of
the world to establish over this savage instrument, was gained from that time.
Hugh's submission was complete. He dreaded him beyond description; and felt that
accident and artifice had spun a web about him, which at a touch from such a
master-hand as his, would bind him to the gallows.
    With these thoughts passing through his mind, and yet wondering at the very
same time how he who came there rioting in the confidence of this man (as he
thought), should be so soon and so thoroughly subdued, Hugh stood cowering
before him, regarding him uneasily from time to time, while he finished
dressing. When he had done so, he took up the letter, broke the seal, and
throwing himself back in his chair, read it leisurely through.
    »Very neatly worded upon my life! Quite a woman's letter, full of what
people call tenderness, and disinterestedness, and heart, and all that sort of
thing!«
    As he spoke, he twisted it up, and glancing lazily round at Hugh as though
he would say »You see this?« held it in the flame of the candle. When it was in
a full
