Morning rambles – Donkey comforts – Gipsy budget of ways and means – Game markets at Warwick and Leamington – Poaching by wholesale – A poaching battle royal – Doings of a poacher’s cub.

I had now, as I have said, neither hope nor aim, and could form no plan for my future life. I had become sick of adventure, as may readily be conceived; but had plunged too deep to get easily back, and must now either swim with the tide, or sink. I had no middle course. Home I could not go, as I had so cruelly deceived my parents; and even if I could have hoped for their forgiveness, I could never again appear in the village with the imputation of Anne’s death upon my head: – had it not been also upon my conscience, I should have cared the less. I had seen enough of the stage to be heartily disgusted with a strolling life, particularly as I was desirous of freeing myself from the stings of conscience by throwing the chief blame of Anne’s misfortunes on the rascally manager.