"Not that he ever troubled me much, for of course I didn't let him; but he wanted to."
"Look here," Will exclaimed, sitting up. "I've always been like a brother to you, Ease, and now you are in a place where you need a brother more than ever. I think I'd better hint gently to that young donkey that he'd find it safer to let you alone."
"Oh, no, no!" she replied. "You mustn't let anybody know that you know this. Aunt Tabitha told me not to say a word to anybody, and particularly to you. I'm not sure I didn't promise not to tell, but I must talk to somebody. There is something or other they don't tell me about a will; and aunt Tabitha says we shall both be paupers, if I don't do as she wishes."
"Do as she wishes? What does she want you to do?"
"She has promised him that I shall marry him," Ease said earnestly, with cheeks like the petals of a damask rose.
"The devil she has!"
"Hush! You mustn't talk so. Of course she wouldn't make me; but, if she did, what could I do?"
"Do!" he exclaimed hotly. Then suddenly he changed his tone to one of cool impartiality. "If she makes you marry him, of course you'll have to do it."
"But you wouldn't like to be made to marry him," she said, half crying.