ss during the whole affair which I
have been recounting, at the bottom of the pass. The woman now took the
horse by the head, and leading it with the cart into the open part of the
dingle, turned both round, and then led them back, till the horse and
cart had mounted a little way up the ascent; she then stood still and
appeared to be expecting the man. During this proceeding Belle had stood
looking on without saying anything; at last, perceiving that the man had
harnessed his horse to the other cart, and that both he and the woman
were about to take their departure, she said, "You are not going, are
you?" Receiving no answer, she continued: "I tell you what, both of you,
Black John, and you Moll, his mort, this is not treating me over
civilly,--however, I am ready to put up with it, and to go with you if
you like, for I bear no malice. I'm sorry for what has happened, but you
have only yourselves to thank for it. Now, shall I go with you? only
tell me." The man made no manner of reply, but flogged his horse. The
woman, however, whose passions were probably under less control, replied,
with a screeching tone, "Stay where you are, you jade, and may the curse
of Judas cling to you,--stay with the bit of a mullo {93a} whom you
helped, and my only hope is that he may gulley {93b} you before he comes
to be--Have you with us, indeed! after what's past, no, nor nothing
belonging to you. Fetch down your mailla {94a} go-cart and live here
with your chabo." {94b} She then whipped on the horse, and ascended the
pass, followed by the man. The carts were light, and they were not long
in ascending the winding path. I followed, to see that they took their
departure. Arriving at the top, I found near the entrance a small donkey-
cart, which I concluded belonged to the girl. The tinker and his mort
were already at some distance; I stood looking after them for a little
time, then taking the donkey by the reins I led it with the cart to the
bottom of the dingle. Arrived there, I found Belle seated on the stone
by the fireplace. Her hair was all dishevelled, and she was in tears.

"They were bad people," said she, "and I did not like them, but they were
my only acquaintance in the wide world."

CHAPTER V.--ISOPEL BERNERS: A TALL GIRL OF EIGHTEEN, AND HER STORY.

In the evening of that same day the tall girl and I sat at tea by the
fire, at the bottom of the dingle; the girl on a small stool, and myself,
as usual, upo