“Oh, no!  And where are you to live?” “William had got a room in B——.  He works for Mr. Smith, the rich hatter in the market-place, and Mr. Smith speaks of him, oh, so well!  But William will not tell me where our room is.  I suppose in some narrow street or lane, which he is afraid I shall not like, as our common is so pleasant.  He little thinks—­anywhere—­” She stopped suddenly.  “Anywhere with him!”

The wedding-day was a glorious morning.

“What a beautiful day for Hannah!” was the first exclamation at the breakfast-table.  “Did she tell you where they should dine?”

“No, ma’am; I forgot to ask.”

“I can tell you,” said the master of the house, with the look of a man who, having kept a secret as long as it was necessary, is not sorry to get rid of the burthen.  “I can tell you—­in London.”

“In London?”

“Yes.  Your little favourite has been in high luck.  She has married the only son of one of the best and richest men in B——­, Mr. Smith, the great hatter.  It is quite a romance.  William Smith walked over to see a match, saw our pretty Hannah, and forgot to look at the cricketers.  He came again and again, and at last contrived to tame this wild dove, and even to get the entree of the cottage.  Hearing Hannah talk is not the way to fall out of love with her.  So William, finding his case serious, laid the matter before his father, and requested his consent to the marriage.  Mr. Smith was at first a little startled.  But William is an only son, and an excellent son; and after talking with me, and looking at Hannah, the father relented.  But, having a spice of his son’s romance, and finding that he had not mentioned his station in life, he made a point of its being kept secret till the wedding-day.  I hope the shock will not kill Hannah.”

“Oh, no!  Hannah loves her husband too well.”

And I was right.  Hannah has survived the shock.  She is returned to B——­, and I have been to call on her.  She is still the same Hannah, and has lost none of her old habits of kindness and gratitude.  She did indeed just hint at her trouble with visitors and servants; seemed distressed at ringing the bell, and visibly shrank from the sound of a double knock.  But in spite of these calamities Hannah is a happy woman.  The double rap was her husband’s, and the glow on her cheek, and the smile of her lips and eyes when he appeared spoke more plainly than ever:  “Anywhere with him!”

* * * * *

DAVID MOIR

Autobiography of Mansie Wauch