My best notes are in the falsetto; and as for my execution--But we won't talk of that." "Nay, nay; you are so modest," said Mrs.Slopperton.

"I am sure you could oblige us if you would." "Your command," said the stranger, moving to the harpsichord, "is all-sufficient; and since you, madam," turning to Lucy, "have chosen a song after the old school, may I find pardon if I do the same?
My selection is, to be sure, from a lawless song-book, and is supposed to be a ballad by Robin Hood, or at least one of his merry men,--a very different sort of outlaws from the knaves who attacked you, sir!" With this preface the stranger sung to a wild yet jovial air, with a tolerable voice, the following effusion: THE LOVE OF OUR PROFESSION; OR THE ROBBER'S LIFE.
On the stream of the world, the robber's life Is borne on the blithest wave; Now it bounds into light in a gladsome strife, Now it laughs in its hiding cave.
At his maiden's lattice he stays the rein; How still is his courser proud (But still as a wind when it hangs o'er the main In the breast of the boding cloud), With the champed bit and the archd crest, And the eye of a listening deer, Like valour, fretful most in rest, Least chafed when in career.
Fit slave to a lord whom all else refuse To save at his desperate need; By my troth! I think one whom the world pursues Hath a right to a gallant steed.
"Away, my beloved, I hear their feet! I blow thee a kiss, my fair, And I promise to bring thee, when next we meet, A braid for thy bonny hair.
Hurrah! for the booty!--my steed, hurrah! Thorough bush, thorough brake, go we; And the coy moon smiles on our merry way, Like my own love,--timidly." The parson he rides with a jingling pouch, How it blabs of the rifled poor! The courtier he lolls in his gilded coach, -- How it smacks of a sinecure! The lawyer revolves in his whirling chaise Sweet thoughts of a mischief done; And the lady that knoweth the card she plays Is counting her guineas won! "He, lady!--What, holla, ye sinless men! My claim ye can scarce refuse; For when honest folk live on their neighbours, then They encroach on the robber's dues!" The lady changed cheek like a bashful maid, The lawyer talked wondrous fair, The parson blasphemed, and the courtier prayed, And the robber bore off his share.
"Hurrah! for the revel! my steed, hurrah! Thorough bush, thorough brake, go we! It is ever a virtue, when others pay, To ruffle it merrily!" Oh, there never was life like the robber's, -- so Jolly and bold and free! And its end-why, a cheer from the crowd below, And a leap from a leafless tree! This very moral lay being ended, Mrs.Slopperton declared it was excellent; though she confessed she thought the sentiments rather loose.
Perhaps the gentleman might be induced to favour them with a song of a more refined and modern turn,--something sentimental, in short.

Glancing towards Lucy, the stranger answered that he only knew one song of the kind Mrs.Slopperton specified, and it was so short that he could scarcely weary her patience by granting her request.
At this moment the river, which was easily descried from the windows of the room, glimmered in the starlight; and directing his looks towards the water, as if the scene had suggested to him the verses he sung, he gave the following stanzas in a very low, sweet tone, and with a far purer taste, than, perhaps, would have suited the preceding and ruder song.
THE WISH.
As sleeps the dreaming Eve below, Its holiest star keeps ward above, And yonder wave begins to glow, Like friendship bright'ning into Love! Ah, would thy bosom were that stream, Ne'er wooed save by the virgin air!-- Ah, would that I were that star, whose beam Looks down and finds its image there! Scarcely was the song ended, before the arrival of Miss Brandon's servant was announced; and her destined escort, starting up, gallantly assisted her with her cloak and her hood,--happy, no doubt, to escape in some measure the overwhelming compliments of his entertainers.
"But," said the doctor, as he shook hands with his deliverer, "by what name shall I remember and" (lifting his reverend eyes) "pray for the gentleman to whom I am so much indebted ?" "You are very kind," said the stranger; "my name is Clifford.

Madam," turning to Lucy, "may I offer my hand down the stairs ?" Lucy accepted the courtesy; and the stranger was half-way down the staircase, when the doctor, stretching out his little neck, exclaimed,-- "Good-evening, sir! I do hope we shall meet again." "Fear not!" said Mr.Clifford, laughing gayly; "I am too great a traveller to make that hope a matter of impossibility.

Take care, madam,--one step more." The night was calm and tolerably clear, though the moon had not yet risen, as Lucy and her companion passed through the fields, with the servant preceding them at a little distance with the lantern.
After a pause of some length, Clifford said, with a little hesitation, "Is Miss Brandon related to the celebrated barrister of her name ?" "He is my uncle," said Lucy; "do you know him ?" "Only your uncle ?" said Clifford, with vivacity, and evading Lucy's question.