in the tone in which this
commonplace condolence was delivered than in the words themselves. Mrs.
Rusker's manner was big with mystery.

'Now, my darlin', I know you 'm a brave gal, and can act accordin' when
there's rayson for it. I've got a plan as 'll save you yet, if on'y
you've got the courage.'

Julia's clasped hands and eager look encouraged her to proceed.

'My dear, you remember _Romeo and Juliet?_ You remember how Juliet got
the sleepin' draught an' took it? 'Julia's look was one of wonder, pure
and simple, now. 'That's my plan, my dear, an' the Dudley Divil can do
it for us, if on'y you'll ha' the courage to tek it. Not as I mean as
you need be buried afore Dick comes to you. We shouldn't go as far as
that. But I'll get the stuff, an' it'll send you to sleep, an' they'll
think as you're dead, an' then I'll tell 'em how you an' Dick loved
each other so's you couldn't bear to part wi' him, an' the fear of it's
killed you. That'll soften their hard hearts, my dear. Old Reddy knows
all about it--that's why he's sendin' Dick away to London an' I'll get
him fetched back to see the last o' you, an' I'll mek your father an'
his father shaake hands, an' then you'll come to, an' after that what
can they do but marry you to Dick, an' forget all that rubbidge about
the brook, an' live in peace together, as decent folk should do.'

Julia's reception of this brilliant scheme, which Mrs. Rusker developed
with a volubility which left no opportunity for detailed objection, was
to fall back in her chair and begin to cry anew at the sheer hopeless
absurdity of it.

'What's the matter wi' the wench?' demanded Mrs. Rusker, almost sternly.
'Come, come,' she continued, her brief anger fading at the sight of
Julia's distress, 'have a bit o' sperrit. Now, will you try it? Spake
the word, an' I'll goo to the Divil this minute.'

This wholesale self-abandonment in the cause of love produced no effect
on Julia, except to frighten her. Mrs. Rusker argued and reasoned, but
finding her fears too obdurate to be moved by any such means, left
the house in dudgeon, whereat poor Julia only cried the more. But
Mrs. Rusker's confidence in her plan was unshaken, and her persistency
unchecked. She would save the silly girl against her will, since it must
be so, and half an hour after she had crossed the Mountain threshold she
was in her trap, _en route_ for the dwelling of the wizard.

She found that celebrity alone, and opened fire on him a