At this home-thrust Mrs. Wilson was staggered, but the next moment her sense of discomfiture gave way to a broad expression of triumph at her nursling’s wit.

“Eh!  Miss Lucy,” cried she, showing a broadside of great white teeth in a rustic chuckle, “but ye’ve got a tongue in your head.  Ye’ve sewed up my stocking, and ’tisn’t many of them can do that.”  Lucy followed up her advantage.

“And, nurse, even when he was wide awake and stood by the cart, no inward sentiment warned him of my presence; a sure sign he did not love me.  Though I have never experienced love, I have read of it, and know all about it.” [Jus-tice des Femmes!]

“Well, Miss Lucy, have it your own way; after all, if he loves you he will find you out.”

“Of course he would, and you will see he will do nothing of the kind.”

“Then I wish I knew where he was; I would pull him in at my door by the scruf of the neck.”

“And then I should jump out at the window.  Come, try on your new cap, nurse, that I have made for you, and let us talk about anything you like except gentlemen.  Gentlemen are a sore subject with me.  Gentlemen have been my ruin.”

“La, Miss Lucy!”

“I assure you they have; why, have they not set my uncle’s heart against me, and my aunt’s, and robbed me of the affection I once had for both?  I believe gentlemen to be the pests of society; and oh! the delight of being here in this calm retreat, where love dwells, and no gentleman can find me.  Ah! ah!  Oh!  What is that?”

For a heavy blow descended on the door.  “That is Jenny’s knock," said Mrs. Wilson; dryly.  “Come in, Jenny.”  The servant, thus invited, burst the door open as savagely as she had struck it, and announced with a knowing grin, “A GENTLEMAN—­for Miss Fountain!!"

CHAPTER XXVII.

DAVID and Eve sat together at their little breakfast, and pressed each other to eat; but neither could eat.  David’s night excursion had filled Eve with new misgivings.  It was the act of a madman; and we know the fears that beset her on that head, and their ground.  He had come home shivering, and she had forced him to keep his bed all that day.  He was not well now, and bodily weakness, added to his other afflictions, bore his spirit down, though nothing could cow it.

“When are you to sail?” inquired Eve, sick-like.

“In three days.  Cargo won’t be on board before.”

“A coasting vessel?”

“A man can do his duty in a coaster as well as a merchantman or a frigate.”  But he sighed.

“Would to God you had never seen her!”

“Don’t blame her—­blame me.  I had good advice from my little sister, but I was willful.  Never mind, Eve, I needn’t to blush for loving her; she is worthy of it all.”

“Well, think so, David, if you can.”  And Eve, thoroughly depressed, relapsed into silence.  The postman’s rap was heard, and soon after a long inclosure was placed in Eve’s hand.