ll for Patty; don't you think so?" said Mary, turning
to Tom.

The sudden introduction of a name which he had such reasons for
remembering, the memories and fears which it called up--above
all, the bewilderment which he felt at hearing it tossed about
and canvassed by Mary in his presence, as if there were nothing
more in it than in any other name--confused him so that he
floundered and blundered in his attempt to answer, and at last
gave it up altogether. She was surprised, and looked at him
inquiringly. His eyes fell before hers, and he turned away to the
window, and looked at the carriage, which had just drawn up at
the lodge door. He had scarcely time to think how foolish he was
to be so moved, when he heard the back-kitchen door open again,
and the old woman and her daughter come in.

He turned round sharply, and there on the floor of the room,
courtseying to the ladies, stood the ex-barmaid of the "Choughs".
His first impulse was to hurry away--she was looking down, and he
might not be recognized; his next, to stand his ground, and take
whatever might come. Mary went up to her and took her hand,
saying that she could not go away without coming to see her.
Patty looked up to answer, and, glancing round the room, caught
sight of him.

He stepped forward, and then stopped and tried to speak, but no
words would come. Patty looked at him, dropped Mary's hand,
blushed up to the roots of her hair as she looked timidly round
at the wondering spectators, and, putting her hands to her face,
ran out of the back door again.

"Lawk a massy! what ever can ha' cum to our Patty?" said Mrs.
Gibbons, following her out.

"I think we had better go," said Mr. Porter, giving his arm to
his daughter, and leading her to the door, "Goodbye, Katie; shall
we see you again at Barton?"

"I don't know, uncle," Katie answered, following with Mrs.
Porter, in a state of sad bewilderment.

Tom, with his brain swimming, got out a few stammering farewell
words, which Mr. and Mrs. Porter received with marked coldness,
as they stepped into their carriage. Mary's face was flushed and
uneasy; but at her he scarcely dared to steal a look, and to her
was quite unable to speak a word.

Then the carriage drove off, and he turned, and found Katie
standing at his side, her eyes full of serious wonder. His fell
before them.

"My dear Tom," she said, "what is all this? I thought you had
never seen Martha?"

"So I thought--I don't know--I can't