"Poor Job!" Alice became sorry for the big man. "You do suffer, and Rose ought to be ashamed of herself to cause you such pain. Get her to marry you at once and laugh at Don Pablo."
"She won't. He's got her fair under his thumb, Miss Alice," said Trevel gloomily. "I hate him, and so does everyone else. He's the only man as I ever heard the parson have a bad word for. There's something about that foreign chap," Job clenched a huge fist, "as makes you want to squash him like a toad."
Alice nodded comprehendingly. "All the same you must do him no harm, or you will get into trouble. And remember, Job, that I am your friend"—she gave him her hand—"and to prove it I shall tell you what will please you. I am engaged to that gentleman over there—Mr. Montrose."
Trevel shook the hand heartily and his face grew good-natured. "I'm fair glad of it, miss. I've seen the gentleman and like the gentleman. He's been down in the village with Mr. Hardwick, as we like also. As to that foreigner, miss—ugh!" Job scowled and turned away, while Alice went back to Douglas.
"I have been trying to reconcile two lovers, but I have failed," she told him.
"What is the cause of the quarrel?" asked the young man, amused.
"A dangerous one. Don Pablo," and she gave details.
"What an old beast!" said Montrose. "If I were that fisherman I'd screw his neck."
"Don't put such ideas into Job's head," cried Alice rebukingly. "He is angry enough as it is!"
"All the worse for Don Pablo, my dear!" and so they left the matter, which was of less importance then than it became afterwards.