"What do you think of that, Franklin?" said Morley. "That is
our worthy friend of Marney Abbey, where we first met. You do
not know this part of the country, or you would smile at the
considerate condescension of the worst landlord in England;
and who was, it seems, thus employed the day or so after his
battue, as they call it." And Morley turning the paper read
another paragraph:--

"At a Petty Sessions holden at the Green Dragon Inn, Marney,
Friday, October--, 1837.

"Magistrates present: The Earl of Marney, the Rev. Felix
Flimsey, and Captain Grouse.

"Information against Robert Hind for a trespass in pursuit of
game in Blackrock Wood, the property of Sir Vavasour
Firebrace, Bart. The case was distinctly proved; several
wires being found in the pocket of the defendant. Defendant
was fined in the full penalty of forty shillings and costs
twenty-seven; the Bench being of opinion there was no excuse
for him, Hind being in regular employ as a farm labourer and
gaining his seven shillings a-week. Defendant being unable to
pay the penalty, was sent for two months to Marham Gaol."

"What a pity," said Morley, "that Robert Hind, instead of
meditating the snaring of a hare, had not been fortunate
enough to pick up a maimed one crawling about the fields the
day after the battue. It would certainly have been better for
himself; and if he has a wife and family, better for the