“She will,” he answered.  “I was waitin’ till I happened to fall in with her, and having done so, I said I wanted a wife, because it was time I had one, and I told her that I saw the makings of a useful woman in her and invited her to turn it over.  She was a good bit surprised and couldn’t believe her luck for a bit.  In fact, if I’d pressed her, or kissed her, or anything like that, she’d have said ‘Yes’ instanter.  But I bade her to keep shut till to-morrow morning, and then be at the north lodge at five-thirty with her answer.  And she’ll be there.”

Rupert had never talked so much in his life afore, and I could see he was tired.  In fact he rose up after that last speech and went off without another word.  And I knew that Minnie would be up to time also, for she weren’t going to say “No” to the first and last as was ever like to offer for her.

And I turned over the mystery and very soon felt in my bones there must be something hidden.  Rupert might have had a dozen girls, for there’s lots of meek women like his overbearing, brutal sort and would have been very well content to take him, well knowing he spelled safety if no more; but for him, a saver and dealer in the main chance to marry at all, let alone an object like Minnie, meant far more than I could fathom out.  He’d said himself there was more to her than met the eyes, and no doubt there was; but her promise was hidden from me, and I puzzled half that night and three parts of the next day, though all in vain.

There was my own sad case also, and, of course, a very painful duty lay in front of me.  But I ain’t one to let misery fester and so, twenty-four hours after my shocking adventure with Gregory, I went right over to Arthur Parable and told him all.

He was a good bit amused, in fact I never heard him laugh so hearty, and I got a thought hot about it; but he hadn’t nothing much to say except I was well rid of Mr. Sweet.  “A man like that,” said Arthur, “was never meant to wed.  Caution such as his in the home would mighty soon have drove you daft.  And there’s the makings of a tyrant in Gregory, by your own showing, for the man who resents freedom to his woman before marriage, may very like lock her up afterwards.”

“I weren’t his woman,” I said, “and I didn’t take it lying down, neither.  He got the truth, and he didn’t like it.”

“I’d have give a finger off my hand to have heard you,” declared Arthur, and then he laughed again; and then he grew serious and offered hope.

“Mark me,” he said.  “He ain’t done with you.  This is no more than a fit of silly temper and I dare say, though you think you’re defeated, you’ll find you’ve conquered before a week’s sped.”

“I don’t want to conquer,” I answered.  “I wouldn’t take the man now if he was twice what he is.  Along with you I’ve found that there’s better than Greg.  I’ve got over the shock and I won’t take him now, even if he wants me.  There’s a tyrant hid behind the man, as you say.”