"Do you love him?" I asked.
"No," she said, again looking eagerly around.
"Then!" I cried, "you shall not marry him. I will keep you from that, even if I found you by his side at the church communion-rails."
Then my heart jumped for joy, for I saw a look of gladness flash into her eyes.
"Come with me," I continued; "come away where it is quiet. No one will notice us among all this crowd."
"No, no, I dare not; I am watched everywhere, and you are watched. We may be safe here for a few minutes longer, for when Emily is talking about finery she is forgetful of all else, but I must not leave here."
"Look here," I cried, "Betsey Fraddam told me last night that all sorts of lying stories have been told about me."
"I have believed none of them," she cried.
"Also that Nick Tresidder has told the parson to have your banns called at the parish church."
"But not with my consent," she said, eagerly, and again my heart thumped aloud because of my joy.