desire our marriage more than I do,' he said fondly. 'I wish to make
you my wife in as public a manner as possible. But you know I have only
a small income as a curate, and you would not wish us to begin life on a
pittance.'

'I should think not. I've had enough of cutting and contriving. But how
do you intend to get enough for us to marry on?'

'My father has promised me the rectorship of Heathcroft. The present
incumbent is old and cannot possibly live long.'

'I believe he'll live on just to spite us,' grumbled Bell. 'How much is
the living worth?'

'Six hundred a year; there is also the rectory, you know.'

'Well, I daresay we can manage on that, Gabriel. Perhaps, after all, it
will be best to wait, but I don't like it.'

'Neither do I, my dear. If you like, I'll tell my father and marry you
to-morrow.'

'Then you would lose Heathcroft.'

'It's extremely probable I would,' replied Gabriel, dryly.

'In that case we'll wait,' said Bell, springing up briskly. 'I don't
suppose that old man is immortal, and I'm willing to stick to you for
another twelve months.'

'Bell! I thought you loved me sufficiently to accept any position.'

'I do love you, Gabriel, but I'm not a fool, and I'm not cut out for a
poor man's wife. I've had quite enough of being a poor man's daughter.
When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out of the window. That's
as true as true. No! we'll wait till the old rector dies, but if he
lasts longer than twelve months, I'll lose heart and have to look about
me for another husband in my own rank of life.'

'Bell,' said Gabriel, in a pained voice, 'you are cruel!'

'Rubbish!' replied the practical barmaid, 'I'm sensible. Now, come and
see mother.'

CHAPTER XIII

A STORMY NIGHT

Having given Gabriel plainly to understand the terms upon which she was
prepared to continue their secret engagement, Bell kissed him once or
twice to soften the rigour of her speech. Then she intimated that she
would return alone to The Derby Winner, and that Gabriel could follow
after a reasonable interval of time had elapsed. She also explained the
meaning of these precautions.

'If the old cats of the town saw you and I walking along on Sunday
night,' said she, at the door of the vestry, 'they would screech out
that we were keeping company, and in any case would couple our names
together. If they did, father would make it so warm for me that I should
have to tell the truth, and then--well,' adde