ugh he be so cruel koind,
and deadly fond of the girl, now, he may forsake--may----"

"Look at, them, now," said the sexton of St. Hubert's. "See how he
grasps her hand; and how, as he whispers his soft, insinuating
flattery in her ear, she blushes and smiles upon him. Damnation!"

"Whoy, John!" exclaimed Dame Ellis; "what would the rector say to hear
thee? Thou art surely distraught."

And now, as Margaret, flushed and panting with exercise, was suffering
her partner to lead her towards her seat, her father beckoned her to
approach.

"Come hither, girl," said he. The smiling maiden obeyed. "Margaret,"
said the old man, "thou knowest I love thee. I ha' always been cruel
koind to thee, and so has thy mother, girl. If any harm was to happen
to thee, I should take it desperately to heart. I should, indeed. It
would kill thy father, Margaret. Now, William Evans may be a good
young man, and he may not; but we must beware of strangers. Wait till
we have tried him a bit. Many a handsome nag turns out a vicious one.
So it be my pleasure, and the dame's, that thou dost not dance any
more to-day wi' William Evans; and even if he speaks to thee, be a
little offish loike to him."

The poor girl sighed. "I hope, sir," said she, glancing at the sexton,
"that no person possessed of an unhappy and suspicious temper has been
prejudicing you against poor William. I hope Mr. Pembroke----"

"Hush, girl--hush!" cried Ellis. "Doant thee say a word against that
man. But for him we mought all ha' been beggars. Do as I bid thee,
girl, and doan't thee ask no questions; for you know I've got no head
to argury."

Margaret slowly sank into a seat. The sexton leaned over her, and
addressed to her some commonplace remarks, to all of which she
returned answer in monosyllables. When the music recommenced a lively
air, William advanced, and solicited her hand for the next dance. Poor
Margaret bent her eyes upon the ground, and falteringly refused.
Thinking he could not have heard her rightly, Evans again asked the
question, and received, a second time, the same answer. For a moment
his countenance expressed astonishment; the next there was a look of
grief, and then his lip curled, and drawing himself up proudly, he
stalked away. He was followed by the sexton of St. Hubert's, who
overtook him, and laid his hand upon his shoulder. William turned
fiercely, and endeavored to shake off the grasp.

"Young man," said the sexton, "you are discovered!"