' Oh! he's always well, Mr. Harrington; he don't know the tricks o' trouble yet.'
'Will Polly be here soon?'
'At a quarter after nine, she said, sir.'
Evan bade her sit down. After examining her features quietly, he said:
'I 'm glad to see you here, Susan. You don't regret that you followed my advice?'
' No, sir; now it's over, I don't. Mother's kind enough, and father doesn't mention anything. She's a-bed with bile—father's out.'
'But what? There's something on your mind.'
'I shall cry, if I begin, Mr. Harrington.'
'See how far you can get without.'
'Oh! Sir, then,' said Susan, on a sharp rise of her bosom, 'it ain't my fault. I wouldn't cause trouble to Mr. Harry, or any friend of yours; but, sir, father have got hold of his letters to me, and he says, there 's a promise in 'em—least, one of 'em; and it's as good as law, he says —he heard it in a public-house; and he's gone over to Fall'field to a law-gentleman there.' Susan was compelled to give way to some sobs. 'It ain't for me—father does it, sir,' she pleaded. 'I tried to stop him, knowing how it'd vex you, Mr. Harrington; but he's heady about points, though a quiet man ordinary; and he says he don't expect—and I know now no gentleman 'd marry such as me—I ain't such a stupid gaper at words as I used to be; but father says it's for the child's sake, and he does it to have him provided for. Please, don't ye be angry with me, sir.'