n hearty laughter at the mere fact of the chance
encounter. "I am still living down there," she said, as soon as
she was composed. "I am soon going to be married, but my intended
couldn't come up here to-day. But there's lots of us come by
excursion, though I've lost the rest of 'em for the present."

"Have you met Jude and his young woman, or wife, or whatever she is?
I saw 'em by now."

"No. Not a glimpse of un for years!"

"Well, they are close by here somewhere. Yes--there they are--by
that grey horse!"

"Oh, that's his present young woman--wife did you say? Has he
married again?"

"I don't know."

"She's pretty, isn't she!"

"Yes--nothing to complain of; or jump at. Not much to depend on,
though; a slim, fidgety little thing like that."

"He's a nice-looking chap, too! You ought to ha' stuck to un,
Arabella."

"I don't know but I ought," murmured she.

Anny laughed. "That's you, Arabella! Always wanting another man
than your own."

"Well, and what woman don't I should like to know? As for that body
with him--she don't know what love is--at least what I call love! I
can see in her face she don't."

"And perhaps, Abby dear, you don't know what she calls love."

"I'm sure I don't wish to! ... Ah--they are making for the art
department. I should like to see some pictures myself. Suppose
we go that way?-- Why, if all Wessex isn't here, I verily believe!
There's Dr. Vilbert. Haven't seen him for years, and he's not
looking a day older than when I used to know him. How do you do,
Physician? I was just saying that you don't look a day older than
when you knew me as a girl."

"Simply the result of taking my own pills regular, ma'am. Only two
and threepence a box--warranted efficacious by the Government stamp.
Now let me advise you to purchase the same immunity from the ravages
of time by following my example? Only two-and-three."

The physician had produced a box from his waistcoat pocket, and
Arabella was induced to make the purchase.

"At the same time," continued he, when the pills were paid for, "you
have the advantage of me, Mrs.-- Surely not Mrs. Fawley, once Miss
Donn, of the vicinity of Marygreen?"

"Yes. But Mrs. Cartlett now."

"Ah--you lost him, then? Promising young fellow! A pupil of mine,
you know. I taught him the dead languages. And believe me, he soon
knew nearly as much as I."

"I lost him; but not as you think," said Arabella dryly. "The
lawyers untied