"Oh! I don't know—only because he seems to have taken a fancy to you," returned Jane Cummins. "And I tell you what it is—you may become his jomen if you like."
"His what?" said Matilda, blushing—for she half understood the meaning of the word.
"Why—his wife, over the left, if you choose," was the answer. "But what a fool you are! You're not so innocent as you pretend to be. Come—tell me—have you ever had a lover?"
"Never," replied the girl.
"Then it's high time you should. The truth is, Josh told me to sound you," she added in a mysterious manner; "and if you only say the word, we'll have a wedding here to-night. Josh has got plenty of money at this moment. He found a purse the day before yesterday——"
"Where?" inquired the country-girl.
"In a gentleman's pocket, at the theatre," returned Jane coolly; "and he talks of setting up a mint——"
"A mint! what with?" asked Matilda.
"With Queen's metal, to be sure," responded the other; "and I think he's a very thriving young fellow. You'd be as happy as a princess along with him;—and wouldn't he come out strong to-night with the lush, if you was to say yes."
"But my father—my mother——" murmured the girl hesitatingly.