CHAPTER X.
THE BLACK DOG.
While this brief scene was in progress in the chamber of Ralph, another, not less full of interest to that person, was passing in the neighborhood of the village-tavern; and, as this portion of our narrative yields some light which must tend greatly to our own, and the instruction of the reader, we propose briefly to record it.

It will be remembered, that, in the chapter preceding, we found the attention of the youth forcibly attracted toward one Guy Rivers--an attention, the result of various influences, which produced in the mind of the youth a degree of antipathy toward that person for which he himself could not, nor did we seek to account.
It appears that Ralph was not less the subject of consideration with the individual in question.

We have seen the degree and kind of espionage which the former had felt at one time disposed to resent; and how he was defeated in his design by the sudden withdrawal of the obnoxious presence.

On his departure with Forrester from the gallery, Rivers reappeared--his manner that of doubt and excitement; and, after hurrying for a while with uncertain steps up and down the apartment, he passed hastily into the adjoining hall, where the landlord sat smoking, drinking, and expatiating at large with his guests.

Whispering something in his ear, the latter rose, and the two proceeded into the adjoining copse, at a point as remote as possible from hearing, when the explanation of this mysterious caution was opened by Rivers.
"Well, Munro, we are like to have fine work with your accursed and blundering good-nature.