oose to take my solicitude on your behalf in that way, of
course I have done. You were good enough to say just now that you
wished to see me and my husband in your hospitable halls. After all
that has passed, do you think that I could be a visitor at your house
unless there is a mistress there?"

"Upon my word, I think you might."

"No, Mr Cheesacre; certainly not. For all our sakes, I should
decline. But if you were married--"

"You are always wanting to marry me, Mrs Greenow."

"I do, I do. It is the only way in which there can be any friendship
between us, and not for worlds would I lose that advantage for my
husband,--let alone what I may feel for myself."

"Why didn't you take me yourself, Mrs Greenow?"

"If you can't understand, it is not for me to say anything more, Mr
Cheesacre. If you value the warm affection of a virgin heart--"

"Why, Mrs Greenow, all yesterday she wouldn't say a word to me."

"Not say a word to you? Is that all you know about it? Are you so
ignorant that you cannot see when a girl's heart is breaking beneath
her stays?" This almost improper allusion had quite an effect on Mr
Cheesacre's sensitive bosom. "Did you say a word to her yesterday?
And if not, why have you said so many words before?"

"Oh, Mrs Greenow; come!"

"It is, oh, Mrs Greenow. But it is time that we should go back
to them." They had been sitting all this time on a bank, under a
hedge. "We will have our tea, and you shall have your pipe and
brandy-and-water, and Charlie shall bring it to you. Shall she, Mr
Cheesacre?"

"If she likes she shall, of course."

"Do you ask her, and she'll like it it quick enough. But remember,
Mr Cheesacre, I'm quite serious in what I say about your having a
mistress for your house. Only think what an age you'll be when your
children grow up, if you don't marry soon now."

They returned to the field in which they had dined, and found Charlie
under the trees, with her muslin looking very fresh. "What, all
a-mort?" said Mrs Greenow. Charlie did not quite understand this, but
replied that she preferred being alone. "I have told him that you
should fill his pipe for him," said Mrs Greenow. "He doesn't care for
ladies to fill his pipe for him," said Charlie. "Do you try," said
the widow, "while I go indoors and order the tea."

It had been necessary to put the bait very close before Cheesacre's
eyes, or there would have been no hope that he might take it. The
bait had been put so very