eyes, an' limbs, Mr. Belloo sir! Miss Anthea don't
care if she's a witch, or fifty witches, not she! So good-night, Mr.
Belloo sir, an' mum's the word!"

Saying which, Adam slapped his pocket again, nodded, winked, and went
upon his way.

CHAPTER XI

_Of the "Man with the Tiger Mark"_

It is a moot question as to whether a curl can be more alluring when it
glows beneath the fiery kisses of the sun, or shines demurely in the
tender radiance of the moon. As Bellew looked at it now,--that same
small curl that nodded and beckoned to him above Anthea's left ear,--he
strongly inclined to the latter opinion.

"Adam tells me that you are going out, Miss Anthea."

"Only as far as Mrs. Dibbin's cottage,--just across the meadow."

"Adam also informs me that Mrs. Dibbin is a witch."

"People call her so."

"Never in all my days have I seen a genuine, old witch,--so I'll come
with you, if I may?"

"Oh, this is a very gentle old witch, and she is neither humpbacked, nor
does she ride a broom-stick,--so I'm afraid you'll be disappointed,
Mr. Bellew."

"Then, at least, I can carry your basket,--allow me!" And so, in his
quiet, masterful fashion he took the basket from her arm, and walked on
beside her, through the orchard.

"What a glorious night it is!" exclaimed Anthea suddenly, drawing a deep
breath of the fragrant air,--"Oh! it is good to be alive! In spite of
all the cares, and worries, life is very sweet!"

After this, they walked on some distance in silence, she gazing
wistfully upon the beauties of the familiar world about her while he
watched the curl above her ear until she, becoming aware of it all at
once, promptly sent it back into retirement, with a quick, deft little
pat of her fingers.

"I hope," said Bellew at last, "I do sincerely hope that you 'tucked up'
my nephew safe in bed,--you see--"

"Your nephew, indeed!"

"Our nephew, then; I ask because he tells me that he can't possibly
sleep unless you go to 'tuck him up,'--and I can quite believe it."

"Do you know, Mr. Bellew, I'm growing quite jealous of you, he can't
move a step without you, and he is for ever talking, and lauding your
numberless virtues!"

"But then--I'm only an uncle, after all, and if he talks of me to you,
he talks of you to me, all day long."

"Oh, does he!"

"And, among other things, he told me that I ought to see you when your
hair is down, and all about you."

"Oh!" exclaimed Anthea.

"Indeed, our nephew is m