mean to
let them quite alone this bout, to give them rope enough, certain that in the
end they will hang themselves.«
    »Let them alone, will ye, Moore? Do you promise that?«
    »Promise? No. All I mean to say is, I shall give myself no particular
trouble to catch them; but if one falls in my way -«
    »You'll snap him up, of course: only you would rather they would do
something worse than merely stop a waggon before you reckon with them. Well,
we'll say no more on the subject at present. Here we are at my door, gentlemen,
and I hope you and the men will step in: you will none of you be the worse of a
little refreshment.«
    Moore and Helstone opposed this proposition as unnecessary; it was, however,
pressed on them so courteously, and the night, besides, was so inclement, and
the gleam from the muslin-curtained windows of the house before which they had
halted, looked so inviting, that at length they yielded. Mr. Yorke, after having
alighted from his gig, which he left in charge of a man who issued from an
outbuilding on his arrival, led the way in.
    It will have been remarked that Mr. Yorke varied a little in his
phraseology; now he spoke broad Yorkshire, and anon he expressed himself in very
pure English. His manner seemed liable to equal alternations; he could be polite
and affable, and he could be blunt and rough. His station then you could not
easily determine by his speech or demeanour; perhaps the appearance of his
residence may decide it.
    The men, he recommended to take the kitchen way, saying that he would »see
them served wi' summat to taste presently.« The gentlemen were ushered in at the
front entrance. They found themselves in a matted hall, lined almost to the
ceiling with pictures; through this they were conducted to a large parlour, with
a magnificent fire in the grate; the most cheerful of rooms it appeared as a
whole, and when you came to examine details, the enlivening effect was not
diminished. There was no splendour, but there was taste everywhere, - unusual
taste, - the taste, you would have said, of a travelled man, a scholar, and a
gentleman. A series of Italian views decked the walls; each of these was a
specimen of true art; a connoisseur had selected them: they were genuine and
valuable. Even by candlelight, the bright clear skies, the soft distances,