lung off, I came
out of the tent, and addressing myself to Isopel, who was standing beside
her cart, I said--"Just as I was about to retire to rest I thought it
possible that you might come to-night, and got everything in readiness
for you. Now, sit down by the fire whilst I lead the donkey and cart to
the place where you stay; I will unharness the animal, and presently come
and join you." "I need not trouble you," said Isopel; "I will go myself
and see after my things." "We will go together," said I, "and then
return and have some tea." Isopel made no objection, and in about half-
an-hour we had arranged everything at her quarters, I then hastened and
prepared tea. Presently Isopel rejoined me, bringing her stool; she had
divested herself of her bonnet, and her hair fell over her shoulders; she
sat down, and I poured out the beverage, handing her a cup. "Have you
made a long journey to-night?" said I. "A very long one," replied Belle,
"I have come nearly twenty miles since six o'clock." "I believe I heard
you coming in my sleep," said I; "did the dogs above bark at you?" "Yes,"
said Isopel, "very violently; did you think of me in your sleep?" "No,"
said I, "I was thinking of Ursula and something she had told me." "When
and where was that?" said Isopel. "Yesterday evening," said I, "beneath
the dingle hedge." "Then you were talking with her beneath the hedge?"
"I was," said I, "but only upon gypsy matters. Do you know, Belle, that
she has just been married to Sylvester, so you need not think that she
and I . . ." "She and you are quite at liberty to sit where you please,"
said Isopel. "However, young man," she continued, dropping her tone,
which she had slightly raised, "I believe what you said, that you were
merely talking about gypsy matters, and also what you were going to say,
if it was, as I suppose, that she and you had no particular
acquaintance." Isopel was now silent for some time. "What are you
thinking of?" said I. "I was thinking," said Belle, "how exceedingly
kind it was of you to get everything in readiness for me, though you did
not know that I should come." "I had a presentiment that you would
come," said I; "but you forget that I have prepared the kettle for you
before, though it was true I was then certain that you would come." "I
had not forgotten your doing so, young man," said Belle; "but I was
beginning to think that you were utterly selfish, caring for nothing but
the gratificat