r male divinities any
the less for beating them, kicking them, or killing them, but rather
the better, provided these attentions are interspersed with occasional
caresses; so it would have been odd indeed had she taken offence at a
mere threat of that sort. He had never threatened her with a rival. She
sobbed single-mindedly.

Meantime the inn was filled with thirsters for a sight of her, who
feasted and drank, to pass away the time till she should deign to
appear. When she had been sobbing some time, there was a tap at her
door, and the landlord entered with a proposal. "Nay, weep not, good
lass, your fortune it is made an you like. Say the word, and you are
chambermaid of 'The White Hart.'"

"Nay, nay," said Manon with a fresh burst of grief. "Never more will I
be a servant in an inn. I'll go to my mother."

The landlord consoled and coaxed her: and she became calmer, but none
the less determined against his proposal.

The landlord left her. But ere long he returned and made her another
proposal. Would she be his wife, and landlady of "The White Hart"?

"You do ill to mock me," said she sorrowfully.

"Nay, sweetheart. I mock thee not. I am too old for sorry jests. Say you
the word, and you are my partner for better for worse."

She looked at him, and saw he was in earnest: on this she suddenly
rained hard to the memory of "le pendard": the tears came in a torrent,
being the last; and she gave her hand to the landlord of "The White
Hart," and broke a gold crown with him in sign of plighted troth.

"We will keep it dark till the house is quiet," said the landlord.

"Ay," said she; "but meantime prithee give me linen to hem, or work to
do; for the time hangs on me like lead."

Her betrothed's eye brightened at this housewifely request, and he
brought her up two dozen flagons of various sizes to clean and polish.

She gathered complacency as she reflected that by a strange turn of
fortune all this bright pewter was to be hers.

Meantime the landlord went downstairs, and falling in with our friends
drew them aside into the bar.

He then addressed Denys with considerable solemnity. "We are old
acquaintances, and you want not for sagacity: now advise me in a strait.
My custom is somewhat declining: this girl Manon is the talk of the
town; see how full the inn is to-night. She doth refuse to be my
chambermaid. I have half a mind to marry her. What think you? shall I
say the word?"

Denys in reply merely open