"A rich man, I should think, for these parts; the best house I have seen for some miles," said the Stranger carelessly. "Rich--yes, he's well to do; he does not live so as not to have money to lay by." "Any family?" "Two daughters and a nephew." "And the nephew does not ruin him. Happy uncle! Mine was not so lucky," said the Traveller. "Sad fellows we soldiers in our young days!" observed the Corporal with a wink. "No, Squire Walter's a good young man, a pride to his uncle!" "So," said the pedestrian, "they are not forced to keep up a large establishment and ruin themselves by a retinue of servants?--Corporal, the jug." "Nay!" said Peter, "Squire Lester's gate is always open to the poor; but as for shew, he leaves that to my lord at the castle." "The castle, where's that?" "About six miles off, you've heard of my Lord--, I'll swear." "Ah, to be sure, a courtier. But who else lives about here? I mean, who are the principal persons, barring the Corporal and yourself, Mr. Eelpry- -I think our friend here calls you." "Dealtry, Peter Dealtry, Sir, is my name.--Why the most noticeable man, you must know, is a great scholard, a wonderfully learned man; there yonder, you may just catch a glimpse of the tall what-d'ye-call-it he has built out on the top of his house, that he may get nearer to the stars. He has got glasses by which I've heard that you may see the people in the moon walking on their heads; but I can't say as I believe all I hear." "You are too sensible for that, I'm sure. But this scholar, I suppose, is not very rich; learning does not clothe men now-a-days--eh, Corporal?" "And why should it? Zounds! can it teach a man how to defend his country? Old England wants soldiers, and be d--d to them! But the man's well enough, I must own, civil, modest--" "And not by no means a beggar," added Peter; "he gave as much to the poor last winter as the Squire himself." "Indeed!" said the Stranger, "this scholar is rich then?" "So, so; neither one nor t'other. But if he were as rich as my lord, he could not be more respected; the greatest folks in the country come in their carriages and four to see him. Lord bless you, there is not a name more talked on in the whole county than Eugene Aram." "What!" cried the Traveller, his countenance changing as he sprung from his seat; "what!--Aram!--did you say Aram? Great God! how strange!" Peter, not a little startled by the abruptness and vehemence of his guest, stared at him with open mouth, and even the Corporal took his pipe involuntarily from his lips. "What!" said the former, "you know him, do you? you've heard of him, eh?" The Stranger did not reply, he seemed lost in a reverie; he muttered inaudible words between his teeth; now he strode two steps forward, clenching his hands; now smiled grimly; and then returning to his seat, threw himself on it, still in silence. The soldier and the clerk exchanged looks, and now outspake the Corporal.