“Mr. Cheetham told me she was engaged to a Mr. Coventry.”

“What can Mr. Cheetham know?  To be sure the gentleman is a good deal with her, and I hear he has courted her this two years; and she likes his company, that’s certain.  But she is used to be admired, and she is very hard to please.”

“What, then, you think it is not quite hopeless?”

“While there’s life there’s hope.”

“What had I better do?”

“Nay, you shouldn’t ask me.”

“Oh, yes:  you advised me so wisely about the insurance.”

“Ay, but then I saw it clear.  He is purse-proud, and I knew he’d think a deal more of you if you insured your life for a vast o’ money.  But now I don’t see clear; and I’m loath to advise.  Happen you’d hate me afterward if it went wrong.”

“No, no, I wouldn’t be so ungrateful.”

Jael shook her head, doubtfully.

“Well, then,” said Henry, “don’t advise me; but put yourself in my place. (I’ll tell you a secret I daren’t trust to Patty.  I have found a way to beat the Trades, and make my fortune in a year or two.) Now what would you do, if you were me?”

This question raised a tumult in Jael’s heart.  But her strong will, her loyalty, and, above all, her patience, conquered, though not without signs of the struggle, a bosom that heaved somewhat higher, and a low voice that trembled a little.  “If I was a young man, I wouldn’t shilly-shally, nor wait till I was rich, before I spoke.  I’d have it out with her.  I’d get her alone, and tell her all.  Then, if she showed any sign of liking, I’d beg her to wait a bit, and say I’d soon be a gentleman for her sake.  And if she cares naught for you, better know it, and leave her, than fare in heaven one hour and in hell the next, as I have seen thee do this while, my poor lad.”

“It is wise and good advice, and I’ll take it.  I’ve kept all my courage for the Trades; I’d better have shown her a little.  But there’s one thing more I want to ask you.”

This was too much.  Jael’s courage and patience failed her for once.  “Keep it,” she cried almost wildly.  “I can’t bear no more.  There’s not one lass in a hundred would do what I have done for you:  yet you want more.  D’ye think I’m not flesh and blood, as well as her?”

And she began to cry bitterly.

This took Henry quite by surprise, and grieved him.  He consoled her, and coaxed her, in vague terms, that did not produce any effect.  So then he kissed her cheek, and dried her eyes with his own handkerchief, and that was not quite so ineffectual.  She gave a final sob, and said, with some slight remains of passion, “There, there; never heed me.  It takes a deal of patience to go through the world.”  And so she left him.

He was not sorry to be alone a minute, and think.  This short dialogue with Jael gave him some insight into female character.  It made him suspect that he had been too timid with Grace Carden, and also that there were two women in the game instead of one.