ack diamonds in bales like hay," retorted Priscilla
stingingly, and then turning to Philip she inquired eagerly,--

"And Jacques and Guillaume are well, quite, quite well, are they?"

"Yes, and Marie and Jeanne," replied Philip placidly.

"And have you news from friends at home, Mary?" asked John decidedly
moving to her side.

"Nay, there are none left there of my nearest kin," replied the girl
sadly. "We came all of us together, and only I am left."

"Nay, Mary, so fair and so good a maid as thou, will never stay long
without friends. Thou wouldst never flout an honest fellow's love and
draw him on, and turn him back, and use him worse than a baby doth its
puppet. The man who loves thee will never rue it."

So meaning were his glances and his tone, that for a moment the simple
maid stood aghast. Could it be that Alden's constancy had given out, and
he was now ready to woo her instead of her friend; but in another moment
the truth dawned upon her, and with more diplomacy than she often showed
Mary smiled and shook her head.

"I know not, for love and sweethearts have not come my way yet. 'T is
Priscilla whom all men seek, and she in merry mood listeth to all and
still keepeth her own mind secret. She is well content to-night, for
this lad hath brought news of his brother's marriage."

"What, the fellow they call Jacques?" demanded John glancing eagerly
toward the other couple now walking some paces in advance.

"Ay, and Guillaume is betrothed, and Jeanne. They are dear friends of
our Priscilla."

"But--but--nay, then, maid Mary, have compassion on a poor stupid oaf
who is no match for her or you or any woman in subtlety and fence, and
yet loveth yon maid as it is not well for man to love aught but his
Maker. Tell me, doth she care aught for me?"

"Nay, John, that is a question none but she should answer, but yet I may
tell thee thus much. The news she hath to-day may embolden thee to ask
again."

"Good wench, true friend!" exclaimed Alden, his whole face lighting with
a new hope. "And now as we turn toward home, if thou wouldst but engage
yon boy's attention, and let me essay while hope is strong and courage
fresh, I will put my fate once more to the touch and know if joy and I
are henceforth partners, or the coldest of strangers."

"Ah, lad, thou lovest her overmuch," replied Mary, letting her placid
blue eyes rest upon him half curiously, half enviously. "No man will
ever care for me like that, for I ha