"I did, I did:" replied the angler. "I did; but then you promised, freely and frankly, to accomplish the object that was at that moment dearest to her heart; and I had no doubt, I had no fear, as to the means. I certainly did so promise my poor mother; but when she exacted that promise, you and I were both differently situated; and I fear me, Franklin, I fear me, that you are over fond of strife, that you are following paths full of danger to yourself, and that you will not be contented till you have brought evil on your own head." "Pshaw!" replied his companion, turning away. "That is my affair; I will leave the more maudlin part of the business to you: let me have the strife, if there should be any; but remember your promise, Harry; and let this be the last time that we have such fruitless words." The other made no reply; and Franklin, after gazing on him moodily for a moment, cast himself down upon the bank, and asked, "How do you bestow yourself to-night?" "I am invited to sup at the Manor House with Sir Walter Herbert," replied the angler; "and I shall go." "Go, to be sure!" exclaimed his companion: "It may serve us more than anything. Have you ever seen Sir Walter?" "At a distance," replied the other; "but I never spoke to him. I know him well, however, by repute. They tell me he has fallen into some difficulties." "From which, perhaps, you may help him," said Franklin, thoughtfully. "Perhaps I may," answered the angler, in the same tone; "perhaps I may, if I can discover how it may best be done; but at present I only know that difficulties exist, without knowing why or how; for the estates are princely. However, if within my reach, I will try to aid him, whether fortune ever turns round and smiles upon me or not; for I hear he is as noble a gentleman as ever lived." "Ay, and has a fair daughter," answered his companion, with a smile. "You have seen her, I suppose?" "Never," replied the angler: "I saw her mother once, who was still very lovely, though she was ill, and died ere the month was out." "Go! go!" cried his companion, after a moment's thought; "go to-night, by all means; I feel as if good would come of it." "I do not know how that can be," said the other, musing, "but still I will go; though you know that, in my situation, I think not of men's fair daughters."