‘That’s a far-fetched fancy indeed,’ said I.  ’Why should he single you out alone for such practisings?’

‘Well,’ quoth Althea idly, ’he may deem me the fittest person to rehearse with, seeing I have at least the breeding of a gentlewoman, and am contracted to no one else.  He will think that if his ways and words please me, they may answer with richer women of my sort as well.’

‘But sure they do not please you!’ I cried; ’nor should you let him think they do; ‘tis not fair usage.’

‘Nay, he diverts me hugely,’ said she; ’and I need diversion, for my heart is heavy as lead, Lucy;’—­all at once there were tears in her eyes;—­’if I can forget my griefs while I watch a mannikin bowing and grimacing before me, don’t grudge me the poor pastime.  I assure thee, child, there’s nothing more in it;’ and with that she left me hastily.

I was used to think Althea much wiser than myself, but the evening of the very day when we had this talk proved that in this matter her judgment was more at fault than mine.  For about sunset Mr. Poole came up to the Grange, which was a rare thing for him to do, seeing he did not love to be abroad when it was dark.  He seemed mightily puffed up about something; and, not being one of those who can keep their own counsel long, he soon imparted to Althea and me, whom he found sitting by the parlour fire, how his promotion now seemed very near.  There was a living of which he had long had hopes to get the reversion; and the actual incumbent was fallen sick of a strange fever, with little prospect of recovery.

‘And you are troubled because of the poor man’s grievous case,’ says Althea demurely.  ’I guessed something was disturbing you.  It’s melancholy news indeed, Mr. Poole, for one would guess by it that the place must be unhealthy, so it may be your luck to sicken in like manner when it is your turn to live there.’

I thought Althea cruel thus to tease the poor man, imputing to him a tender concern for the sufferer of which he had never dreamed; besides, he was chicken-hearted about contagious disorders, and that she knew.  I pitied him then, but found it hard to forbear laughing, his aspect was so comical; therefore I feigned an errand out of the room, and, having stayed away long enough to compose my countenance, I returned to the parlour, where I found poor Mr. Poole on his knees to Althea, urging his suit for her hand with a great deal more passion than one could have expected in him.  ’Twas in vain she spoke of her orphanhood and poverty, and told him he should look higher; and at last she had to speak sharply, and say, however she might esteem the honour he would do her, wife of his she would never be; ’so quit that unbecoming posture at my feet,’ she added; on which he rose indeed, but said half-frantically,—­

’Give me at least, madam; the comfort of hearing you say you are heart-free, that you love none other better than you do me;’ on which first her eyes flashed angry fire, and then changed and softened, her whole face and even her neck going rosy-red, and she said almost kindly,—­