that is very fond of me--and I scold her
bitterly--she took the letter out of his pocket, and told me what was in
it."

"Very well, then," said Grace, coldly, "it is right you should also read
his answer. I'll bring it you."

"Not to-day, miss, if you please. There is no need. I know him: he is
too much of a man to marry one girl when he loves another; and 'tis you
he loves, and I hope you will be happy together."

A few quiet tears followed these brave words, and Grace looked at her
askant, and began to do her justice.

"Ah!" said she, with a twinge of jealousy, "you know him better than I.
You have answered for him, in his very words. Yet you can't love him
as I do. I hope you are not come to ask me to give him up again, for I
can't." Then she said, with quick defiance, "Take him from me, if you
can." Then, piteously, "And if you do, you will kill me."

"Dear heart, I came of no such errand. I came to tell you I know how
generous you have been to me, and made me your friend till death; and,
when a Dence says that, she means it. I have been a little imprudent:
but not so very. First word I said to him, in this very house, was, 'Are
you really a workman?' I had the sense to put that question; for, the
first moment I clapped eyes on him, I saw my danger like. Well, he might
have answered me true; but you see he didn't. I think I am not so much
to blame. Well, he is the young squire now, and no mate for me; and he
loves you, that are of his own sort. That is sure to cure me--after
a while. Simple folk like me aren't used to get their way, like the
gentry. It takes a deal of patience to go through the world. If you
think I'll let my heart cling to another woman's sweetheart--nay, but
I'd tear it out of my breast first. Yes, I dare say, it will be a year
or two before I can listen to another man's voice without hating him for
wooing of me; but time cures all that don't fight against the cure. And
YOU'LL love me a little, miss, now, won't you? You used to do, before I
deserved it half as well as I do to-day."

"Of course I shall love you, my poor Jael. But what is my love, compared
with that you are now giving up so nobly?"

"It is not much," said Jael, frankly; "but 'a little breaks a high
fall.' And I'm one that can only enjoy my own. Better a penny roll with
a clear conscience, than my neighbor's loaf. I'd liever take your love,
and deserve it, than try to steal his."

All this time Grace was silently watching h