ther ill again?' asked Gabriel, arranging some sheets of
paper on the table and changing the conversation.

'Oh, she's no better and no worse. But you'd better come and see her, so
that folks won't be talking of my having spoken to you. A cat can't look
at a jug in this town without they think she's after the cream.'

'You wish to speak with me, Bell?'

'Yes, I do; come and sit 'longside of me.'

Gabriel, being very much in love, obeyed with the greatest willingness,
and when he sat down under the gas jet would have taken Bell in his
arms, but that she evaded his clasp. 'There's no time for anything of
that sort, my dear,' said she sharply; 'we've got to talk business, you
and I, we have.'

'Business! About our engagement?'

'You've hit it, Gabriel; that's the business I wish to understand. How
long is this sort of thing going on?'

'What sort of thing?'

'Now, don't pretend to misunderstand me,' cried Bell, with acerbity, 'or
you and I shall fall out of the cart. What sort of thing indeed! Why, my
engagement to you being kept secret; your pretending to visit mother
when it's me you want; my being obliged to hide the ring you gave me
from father's eyes; that's the sort of thing, Mr Gabriel Pendle.'

'I know it is a painful position, dearest, but--'

'Painful position!' echoed the girl, contemptuously. 'Oh, I don't care
two straws about the painful position. It's the danger I'm thinking
about.'

'Danger! What do you mean? Danger from whom?'

'From Mrs Pansey; from Mr Cargrim. She guesses a lot and he knows more
than is good for either you or I. I don't want to lose my character.'

'Bell! no one dare say a word against your character.'

'I should think not,' retorted Miss Mosk, firing up. 'I'd have the law
on them if they did. I can look after myself, I hope, and there's no man
I know likely to get the better of me. I don't say I'm an aristocrat,
Gabriel, but I'm an honest girl, and as good a lady as any of them. I'll
make you a first-class wife in spite of my bringing up.'

Gabriel kissed her. 'My darling Bell, you are the sweetest and cleverest
woman in the world. You know how I adore you.'

Bell knew very well, for she was sharp enough to distinguish between
genuine and spurious affection. Strange as it may appear, the refined
and educated young clergyman was deeply in love with this handsome, bold
woman of the people. Some lovers of flowers prefer full blown-roses,
ripe and red, to the most exquisit