u are
beginning to look rather wild.'

'I every now and then do,' said I. 'Come, Belle, what do you say?'

'I will say nothing at present on the subject,' said Belle; 'I must have
time to consider.'

'Just as you please,' said I, 'to-morrow I go to a fair with Mr.
Petulengro--perhaps you will consider whilst I am away. Come, Belle, let
us have some more tea. I wonder whether we shall be able to procure tea
as good as this in the American forest.'

CHAPTER XV

THE DAWN OF DAY--THE LAST FAREWELL--DEPARTURE FOR THE FAIR--THE FINE
HORSE--RETURN TO THE DINGLE--NO ISOPEL

It was about the dawn of day when I was awakened by the voice of Mr.
Petulengro shouting from the top of the dingle, and bidding me get up. I
arose instantly, and dressed myself for the expedition to the fair. On
leaving my tent, I was surprised to observe Belle, entirely dressed,
standing close to her own little encampment. 'Dear me,' said I, 'I
little expected to find you up so early. I suppose Jasper's call
awakened you, as it did me.' 'I merely lay down in my things,' said
Belle, 'and have not slept during the night.' 'And why did you not take
off your things and go to sleep?' said I. 'I did not undress,' said
Belle, 'because I wished to be in readiness to bid you farewell when you
departed; and as for sleeping I could not.' 'Well, God bless you!' said
I, taking Belle by the hand. Belle made no answer, and I observed that
her hand was very cold. 'What is the matter with you?' said I, looking
her in the face. Belle looked at me for a moment in the eyes, and then
cast down her own--her features were very pale. 'You are really unwell,'
said I, 'I had better not go to the fair, but stay here, and take care of
you.' 'No,' said Belle, 'pray go, I am not unwell.' 'Then go to your
tent,' said I, 'and do not endanger your health by standing abroad in the
raw morning air. God bless you, Belle, I shall be home to-night, by
which time I expect you will have made up your mind, if not, another
lesson in Armenian, however late the hour be.' I then wrung Belle's
hand, and ascended to the plain above.

I found the Romany party waiting for me, and everything in readiness for
departing. Mr. Petulengro and Tawno Chikno were mounted on two old
horses. The rest, who intended to go to the fair, amongst whom were two
or three women, were on foot. On arriving at the extremity of the plain,
I looked towards the dingle. Isopel Berners stood a