h
the duke?"

"I think I could, brother, or even with yourself."

"Myself, Jasper! Oh, I never troubled my head about your wife; but I
suppose there have been love affairs between gorgios {290} and Romany
chies. Why, novels are stuffed with such matters; and then even one of
your own songs says so--the song which Ursula was singing the other
afternoon."

"That is somewhat of an old song, brother, and is sung by the chies as a
warning at our solemn festivals."

"Well! but there's your sister-in-law, Ursula, herself, Jasper."

"Ursula, herself, brother?"

"You were talking of my having her, Jasper."

"Well, brother, why didn't you have her?"

"Would she have had me?"

"Of course, brother. You are so much of a Roman, and speak Romany so
remarkably well."

"Poor thing! she looks very innocent!"

"Remarkably so, brother! However, though not born on the same common
with my wife, she knows a thing or two of Roman matters."

"I should like to ask her a question or two, Jasper, in connection with
that song."

"You can do no better, brother. Here we are at the camp. After tea,
take Ursula under a hedge, and ask her a question or two in connection
with that song."

CHAPTER XXVI.--SUNDAY EVENING--URSULA--ACTION AT LAW--MERIDIANA MARRIED
ALREADY.

I took tea that evening with Mr. and Mrs. Petulengro and Ursula, {291}
outside of their tent. Tawno was not present, being engaged with his
wife in his own tabernacle; Sylvester was there, however, lolling
listlessly upon the ground. As I looked upon this man, I thought him one
of the most disagreeable fellows I had ever seen. His features were
ugly, and, moreover, as dark as pepper; and, besides being dark, his skin
was dirty. As for his dress, it was torn and sordid. His chest was
broad, and his arms seemed powerful; but, upon the whole, he looked a
very caitiff. "I am sorry that man has lost his wife," thought I; "for I
am sure he will never get another." What surprises me is, that he ever
found a woman disposed to unite her lot with his!

After tea I got up and strolled about the field. My thoughts were upon
Isopel Berners. I wondered where she was, and how long she would stay
away. At length becoming tired and listless, I determined to return to
the dingle, and resume the reading of the Bible at the place where I had
left off. "What better could I do," methought, "on a Sunday evening?" I
was then near the wood which surrounded the dingle