"Yes, and Marie and Jeanne," replied Philip placidly.
"And have you news from friends at home, Mary?" asked John decidedly moving to her side.
"Nay, there are none left there of my nearest kin," replied the girl sadly. "We came all of us together, and only I am left."
"Nay, Mary, so fair and so good a maid as thou, will never stay long without friends. Thou wouldst never flout an honest fellow's love and draw him on, and turn him back, and use him worse than a baby doth its puppet. The man who loves thee will never rue it."
So meaning were his glances and his tone, that for a moment the simple maid stood aghast. Could it be that Alden's constancy had given out, and he was now ready to woo her instead of her friend; but in another moment the truth dawned upon her, and with more diplomacy than she often showed Mary smiled and shook her head.
"I know not, for love and sweethearts have not come my way yet. 'T is Priscilla whom all men seek, and she in merry mood listeth to all and still keepeth her own mind secret. She is well content to-night, for this lad hath brought news of his brother's marriage."
"What, the fellow they call Jacques?" demanded John glancing eagerly toward the other couple now walking some paces in advance.
"Ay, and Guillaume is betrothed, and Jeanne. They are dear friends of our Priscilla."
"But—but—nay, then, maid Mary, have compassion on a poor stupid oaf who is no match for her or you or any woman in subtlety and fence, and yet loveth yon maid as it is not well for man to love aught but his Maker. Tell me, doth she care aught for me?"
"Nay, John, that is a question none but she should answer, but yet I may tell thee thus much. The news she hath to-day may embolden thee to ask again."