or was
amiss.

"What d'ye mane, ma'am?" said Davy.

"What do _you_ mean, sir?" said Nelly.

"I mane, that you're here to meet with a man," said Davy.

"I!" cried Nelly. "I? Did you say that I was here to meet----"

"Don't go to deny it, ma'am," said Davy.

"I do deny it," said Nelly. "And what's more, sir, I know why you are
here. You are here to meet with a woman."

"Me! To meet with a woman! Me?" cried Davy.

"Oh, _you_ needn't deny it, sir," said Nelly. "Your presence here is
proof enough against you."

"And _your_ presence here is proof enough agen you," said Davy.

"You had to meet her at eight," said Nelly.

"That's a reg'lar bluff, ma'am," said Davy, "for it was at eight you had
to meet with _him_?

"How dare you say so?" cried Nelly.

"I had it from the man himself," said Davy.

"It's false, sir, for there _is_ no man; but I had it from the woman,"
said Nelly.

"And did you believe her?" said Davy.

"Did _you_ believe _him?_" said Nelly. "Were you simple enough to trust
a man who told you that he was going to meet your own wife?"

"He wasn't for knowing it was my own wife," said Davy. "But were _you_
simple enough to trust the woman who was telling you she was going to
meet your own husband?"

"She didn't know it was my own husband," said Nelly. "But that wasn't
the only thing she told me."

"And it wasn't the only thing _he_ tould _me_." said Davy. "He tould me
all your secrets--that your husband had deserted you because he was a
brute and a blackguard."

"I have never said so," cried Nelly. "Who dares to say I have? I
have never opened my lips to any living man against you. But you are
measuring me by your own yard, sir; for you led _her_ to believe that I
was a cat and a shrew and a nagger, and a thankless wretch who ought to
be put down by the law just as it puts down biting dogs."

"Now, begging you pardon, ma'am," said Davy; "but that's a damned lie,
whoever made it."

After this burst there was a pause and a hush, and then Nelly said,
"It's easy to say that when she isn't here to contradict you; but wait,
sir, only wait."

"And it's aisy for you to say yonder," said Davy, "when he isn't come to
deny it--but take your time, ma'am, take your time."

"Who is it?" said Nelly.

"No matter," said Davy.

"Who is the man," demanded Nelly.

"My friend Lovibond," answered Davy.

"Lovibond!" cried Nelly.

"The same," groaned Davy.

"Mr. Lovibond!" cried Nelly again.

"Aw--