“No, mum, I do assure you, not a word.”
“Well, but you are a shrewd girl; tell me what you think: now, for instance, suppose she was compelled to choose between, say Mr. Hardie and Mr. Talboys, which would it be?”
“Well, mum, if you ask my opinion, I don't think Miss Lucy is the one to marry a fool; and by all accounts, there's a deal more in Mr. Hardies's head than what there isn't in Mr. Talboysese's.”
“You are a clever girl. You shall have the cloak as well, and, if my niece marries, you shall remain in her service all the same.”
“Thank you kindly, mum. I don't desire no better mistress, married or single; and Mr. Hardies is much respected in the town, and heaps o' money; so miss and me we couldn't do no better, neither of us. Your servant, mum, and thanks you for your bounty”; and Jane courtesied twice and went off with the spoils.
In the corridor she met old Fountain. “Stop, Jane,” said he, “I want to speak to you.”
“At your service, sir.”
“In the first place, I want to give you something to buy a new gown”; and he took out a couple of sovereigns. “Where am I to put them? in your breast-pocket?”
“Put them under the cloak, sir,” murmured Jane, tenderly. She loved sovereigns.
He put his hand under the heap of cashmere, and a quick little claw hit the coins and closed on them by almighty instinct.