ustice sake," was
Anne's answer, fixing her eyes on him. "For God's sake, not mine."

"Yours indeed! Think, what can be his love to mine? He who let
them marry him to that child, while I struggled and gave up
everything. Then he runs away--_runs away_--leaving you all the
distress; never came near you all these years. Oh yes! he looks
down on you as his child's governess! What's the use of loving him?
There's another heiress bespoken for him no doubt."

"No. His parents consent, and we have known one another's love for
six years."

"Oh, that's the way he bound you to keep his secret! He would sing
another song as soon as he was out of this scrape."

"You little know!" was all she said.

"Ay!" continued Peregrine, pacing up and down the room, "you know
that all that was wanting to fill up the measure of my hatred was
that he should have stolen your heart."

"You cannot say that, sir. He was my kind protector and helper from
our very childhood. I have loved him with all my heart ever since I
durst."

"Ay, the great straight comely lubbers have it all their own way
with the women," said he bitterly. "I remember how he rushed
headlong at me with the horse-whip when I tripped you up at the
Slype, and you have never forgiven that."

"Oh! indeed I forgot that childish nonsense long ago. You never
served me so again."

"No indeed, never since you and your mother were the first to treat
me like a human being. You will be able to do anything with me,
sweetest lady; the very sense that you are under the same roof makes
another man of me. I loathe what I used to enjoy. Why, the very
sight of you, sitting at supper like the lady in Comus, in your
sweet grave dignity, made me feel what I am, and what those men are.
I heard their jests with your innocent ears. With you by my side
the Devil's power is quelled. You shall have a peaceful beneficent
life among the poor folk, who will bless you; our good and gracious
Queen will welcome you with joy and gratitude; and when the good
time comes, as it must in a few years, you will have honours and
dignities lavished on you. Can you not see what you will do for
me?"

"Do you think a broken-hearted victim would be able to do you any
good?" said she, looking up with tears in her eyes. "I _do_
believe, sir, that you mean well by me, in your own way, and I
could, yes, I can, be sorry for you, for my mother did feel for you,
and yours has been a sad life; but how c