“Don’t be scarred, miss. I only wanted to be sure o’ seeing you alone. I just want to ask you something.”
“Yes,” she said, composing herself.
“I want to ask you to forgive me, miss, if I hurt your feelings, and do something as’ll make you feel bitter again me.”
“You would not hurt me, Tom?” said Eve, rising and laying her hand upon his arm.
“God knows I wouldn’t, miss, any more than I would one of His angels,” said the young fellow, excitedly; “and that’s why I’ve come. I couldn’t feel as it weer raight not to come, and even though you may think it spiteful, it isn’t, but on’y for your sake alone.”
“Yes,” said Eve, who felt giddy. “You have something dreadful to tell me.”
“No, Miss,” said the young man, solemnly, “not to tell you, only a note to gi’e you.”
“A note—from Mr Selwood?”
“No, miss,” said Tom, not seeing the warm flush in the girl’s face, “a note as weer sent last night to my Daisy, and which she give to me an hour ago.”
“A note?” faltered Eve, again.