?' cried Mosk, bursting into angry words as soon as
the door was closed; 'what d'y mean, you hussy?'

'Now, look here, father,' said Bell, quickly, 'you keep a civil tongue
in your head or I won't use mine. I'm not a hussy, and you have no right
to call me one.'

'No right! Ain't I your lawfully begotten father?'

'Yes, you are, worse luck! I'd have had a duke for my father if I'd been
asked what I wanted.'

'Wouldn't a bishop content you?' sneered Mosk, with a scowl on his
pimply face.

'You're talking of Mr Pendle, are you?' said Bell wilfully
misunderstanding the insinuation.

'Yes, I am, you jade! and I won't have it. I tell you I won't!'

'Won't have what, father? Give it a name.'

'Why, this carrying on with that parson chap. Not as I've a word to say
against Mr Pendle, because he's worth a dozen of the Cargrim lot, but
he's gentry and you're not!'

'What's that got to do with it?' demanded Bell, with supreme contempt.

'This much,' raved Mosk, clenching his fist, 'that I won't have you
running after him. D'y hear?'

'I hear; there is no need for you to rage the house down, father. I'm
not running after Mr Pendle; he's running after me.'

'That's just as bad. You'll lose your character.'

Bell fired up, and bounced to her feet. 'Who dares to say a word against
my character?' she asked, panting and red.

'Old Jarper, for one. He said you went to see Mr Pendle last night.'

'So I did.'

'Oh, you did, did you? and here you've bin talking alone with him this
morning for the last hour. What d'y mean by disgracing me?'

'Disgracing you!' scoffed Bell. 'Your character needs a lot of
disgracing, doesn't it? Now, be sensible, father,' she added, advancing
towards him, 'and I'll tell you the truth. I didn't intend to, but as
you are so unreasonable I may as well set your mind at rest.'

'What are you driving at?' growled Mosk, struck by her placid manner.

'Well, to put the thing into a nutshell, Mr Pendle is going to marry
me.'

'Marry you! Get along!'

'I don't see why you should doubt my word,' cried Bell, with an angry
flush. 'I'm engaged to him as honourably as any young lady could be. He
has written me lots of letters promising to make me his wife, he has
given me a ring, and we're only waiting till he's appointed to be rector
of Heathcroft to marry.'

'Well, I'm d----d,' observed Mr Mosk, slowly. 'Is this true?'

'I'll show you the ring and letters if you like,' said Bell, tartly,
'but I