isery
to stop here, unless--unless you have anything to propose?"

"I've got something to propose," cried the headlong Allan. "It's an
entirely new idea. Would you mind trying the blacksmith at Gretna
Green?"

"No earthly consideration," answered Neelie, indignantly, "would induce
me to be married by a blacksmith!"

"Don't be offended," pleaded Allan; "I meant it for the best. Lots of
people in our situation have tried the blacksmith, and found him quite
as good as a clergyman, and a most amiable man, I believe, into the
bargain. Never mind! We must try another string to our bow."

"We haven't got another to try," said Neelie.

"Take my word for it," persisted Allan, stoutly, "there must be ways and
means of circumventing Blackstone (without perjury), if we only knew
of them. It's a matter of law, and we must consult somebody in the
profession. I dare say it's a risk. But nothing venture, nothing have.
What do you say to young Pedgift? He's a thorough good fellow. I'm sure
we could trust young Pedgift to keep our secret."

"Not for worlds!" exclaimed Neelie. "You may be willing to trust your
secrets to the vulgar little wretch; I won't have him trusted with mine.
I hate him. No!" she concluded, with a mounting color and a peremptory
stamp of her foot on the grass. "I positively forbid you to take any
of the Thorpe Ambrose people into your confidence. They would instantly
suspect me, and it would be all over the place in a moment. My
attachment may be an unhappy one," remarked Neelie, with her
handkerchief to her eyes, "and papa may nip it in the bud, but I won't
have it profaned by the town gossip!"

"Hush! hush!" said Allan. "I won't say a word at Thorpe Ambrose, I won't
indeed!" He paused, and considered for a moment. "There's another way!"
he burst out, brightening up on the instant. "We've got the whole week
before us. I'll tell you what I'll do, I'll go to London!"

There was a sudden rustling--heard neither by one nor the other--among
the trees behind them that screened Miss Gwilt. One more of the
difficulties in her way (the difficulty of getting Allan to London) now
promised to be removed by an act of Allan's own will.

"To London?" repeated Neelie, looking up in astonishment.

"To London!" reiterated Allan. "That's far enough away from Thorpe
Ambrose, surely? Wait a minute, and don't forget that this is a question
of law. Very well, I know some lawyers in London who managed all my
business for me wh