any promise, Araminta," replied Melissa,
indignantly.

"Well, then, I will not hurry you into it. I will give you forty-eight
hours to reply, and if by that time your own good sense does not point
out your indiscretion, I certainly will make it known to your father;
that is decided." So saying. Araminta rose from the bench and walked
towards the house.

"Eight-and-forty hours," said Melissa, thoughtfully; "it must be decided
by that time."

Joey, who had wit enough to perceive how matters stood, made up his mind
not to deliver his message. He knew that Spikeman was well, and
presumed that his staying away was to make Miss Mathews more impatient
to see him. Melissa remained on the bench in deep thought; at last Joey
went up to her.

"You here, my boy! what have you come for?" said Melissa.

"I was strolling this way, madam."

"Come here; I want you to tell me the truth; indeed, it is useless to
attempt to deceive me. Is that person your uncle?"

"No, miss, he is not."

"I knew that. Is he not the person who wrote the letter, and a
gentleman in disguise? Answer me that question, and then I have a
message to him which will make him happy."

"He is a gentleman, miss."

"And his name is Spikeman, is it not?"

"Yes, miss, it is."

"Will he be here this evening? This is no time for trifling."

"If you want him, miss, I am sure he will."

"Tell him to be sure and come, and not in disguise," said Melissa,
bursting into tears. "That's no use, my die is cast," continued she,
talking to herself. Joey remained by her side until she removed her
hands from her face. "Why do you wait?"

"At what hour, miss, shall he come?" said Joey.

"As soon as it is dusk. Leave me, boy, and do not forget."

Joey hastened to Spikeman, and narrated what he had seen and heard, with
the message of Melissa.

"My dear boy, you have helped me to happiness," said Spikeman. "She
shed tears, did she? Poor thing! I trust they will be the last she
shall shed. I must be off to Cobhurst at once. Meet me at dark at the
copse, for I shall want to speak to you."

Spikeman set off for the town as fast as he could, with his bundle on
his head. When half way he went into a field and changed his clothes,
discarding his tinker's dress for ever, throwing it into a ditch for the
benefit of the finder. He then went into the town to his rooms, dressed
himself in a fashionable suit, arranged his portmanteau, and ordered a
chaise