ho
has been burnt on the hand. No, no, my husband shall be able to open
both hands and show them."

I replied, "You are right there. I would never disgrace myself by
marrying a convict."

When I thought of these and many other conversations which had passed
between us, I had no doubt, in my own mind, but that the convicts were
correct in their suppositions, and I was disgusted at my own blindness.

"At all events," said I to myself, after a long cogitation, "if she
wants to marry me, she must go to James Town for a parson, and if I once
get there, I will contrive, as soon as extra constables are sworn in, to
break off the match." But, seriously, I was in an awkward plight.
There was something in that woman that was awful, and I could imagine
her revenge to be most deadly. I thought the old Indian squaw to be bad
enough, but this new mistress was a thousand times worse. What a hard
fate, I thought, was mine, that I should be thus forced to marry against
my will, and be separated from her whom I adored. I was a long while
turning over the matter in my mind, and at last I resolved that I would
make no alteration in my behaviour, but behave to her as before, and
that if the affair was precipitated by my mistress, that I would be off
to the woods, and take my chance of wild beasts and wild Indians, rather
than consent to her wishes. I then went into the cabin, where I found
her alone.

"Alexander," said she (she would know my Christian name, and called me
by it), "they say widows court the men, and that they are privileged to
do so," (I turned pale, for I little thought that there was to be an
explanation so soon;) "at all events, whether they are or not, I know
that a woman in my position cannot well expect a young man in yours to
venture without encouragement. Now, Alexander, I have long perceived
your feelings and your wishes, and I have only to say that mine are such
as yours," (oh, I wish they were, thought I), "and therefore you have
but to ask and to have."

I was mute with fear and despair, and could not find a reply to make to
her.

"Why do you not answer, Alexander? Do you think me too forward?"

"No," stammered I; "you are very kind, but this is so unexpected--so
unlooked for--so unhoped for--I am so overcome."

Observe, Madam, how strangely the sexes were changed. I was the woman
in this instance.

"I should like to consult my friends."

"Consult your fiddlesticks," replied she, quickly. "